THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


\) 


XPERIMENTAL  REATISE 


I 


T  iEI  IE  O  IF*.  I  IEJ  S 


L 


By    SAMUEL    GODSMARK. 


FIRST  EDITION. 


RUSSELL  BROTHERS,  28,  3O,  82  Centre  Street. 

1X71  . 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1871,  by 

SAMUEL    GODSMARK, 

• 

in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


PS 


~76SL 


PREFACE. 


r- 1  ^y 

Mi 

11     HE  AUTHOR  is  aware  that  the  literary  market  is  suck 

/i\£  f,  as  might  well  retard  an  obscure  individual  from 
'  *^r>  3  adding  to  its  superabundant  commodities,  jrom  the 
fact  that  the  public  taste  is  so  nearly  satiated  that 
it  is  difficult  to  persuade  the  generality  to  peruse,  much 
less  purchase  a  publication  ushered  into  the  world  under 
humble  auspices,  especially  when  it  savors  of  the 
"poetical." 

Poetry,  although  the  highest  order  of  literature — in  which 
the  grandest,  holiest  and  purest  sentiments  of  human  nature 
are  most  perfectly  mirrored,  and  every  phase  and  aspect  of  life 
delineated  in  the  most  entrancing  characters — is  the  most 
abused.  The  "Muse  "  appears  to  dispense  her  favors  with 
a  profuse  hand,  so  far  as  quantity  is  concerned^but  quality 
is  essentially  lacking,  and  although  an  "originality"  may 
be  claimed,  it  mostly  consists  in  decking  ancient,  well 
worn  sentiments  in  a  different  dress.  True  originally  must 

759417 


iv  PREFACE. 

emanate  directly  from  the  brain  and  heart,  its  pictures  -be 
drawn  from  the  ever  changing  scenes  of  actual  experience, 
and  the  mind  aim  at  producing  something  entirely  new,  and 
upon  subjects  immediately  occupying  the  attention  of  a 
practical  age,  and  from  ivhich  something  of  utility  may  be 
deduced. 

This  I  have  endeavored  to  do  in  this  little  preliminary 
work,  but  as  many  might  ascribe  my  motive  in  publishing 
to  a  desire  for  fame,  on  an  egotistic  assumption  of  ability, 
I  may  remark  that  it  grew  out  of  adverse  circumstances, 
and  that  two  months  ago  I  had  no  intention  of  publishing 
this  or  any  other  BOOK,  but  yielded  to  the  persuasion  of  a  few 
personal  friends — to  whom,  together  with  all  who  have  so 
readily  subscribed  to  the  work,  I  lender  my  hearty  thanks. 

With  these  few  remarks  I  leave  the  issue  in  the  hands  of 
my  readers.  If  there  be  sufficient  merit  in  my  humble  pro 
duction  to  entitle  it  to  a  second  edition  I  will  greatly 
enlarge  it,  and  present  it  in  an  infinitely  superior  form 
in  every  respect. 

SAMUEL  GODSMARK. 


318  East  49th  St 

fr  /  >iuary 


.,  N.  Y.     ) 
7,    1871.  ) 


IND  SUCH  IS'LIFE!  "  These  mournful  words,  tho'  brief, 
Wrung  from  self-suffering  or  from  others'  grief, 
Which  greet  the  careless  ear,  and  pass  away 
Swift  as  electric  light;  their  purport  may 
Embrace  and  concentrate  the  mightiest  fact, 
With  every  potent  principle  intact. 
"And  such  is  Life!"     These  simple  words  convey 
That  each  immortal  soul  a  debt  must  pay 
To  destiny — a  tribute  sternly  great — 
And  bow  before  the  mystic  shrine  of  Fate. 

So,  ye  wayward,  wandering  child  of  earth, 
Wedded  to  worldly  joys  and  transient  mirth, 
Absorbed  in  aerial  dreams  or  vain  desire, 
Trim  now  thy  mortal  lamp  ere  it  expire; 
Then  turn  its  rays,  that  they  may  penetrate 
And  radiate  the  mystery  of  thy  state — 
That  Life,  in  every  vacillating  view, 
May  teach  thy  pond'ring  reason  something  new, 
And  ope  the  channels  of  immortal  thought 
To  trace  the  hues  with  which  that  life  is  fraught. 

Aye  !   ponder  well,  for  Life  is  but  a  dream, 
Tho'  mortals  all  so  tangible  may  deem, 


8  Life. 

And  thus  will  teach  a  lesson  hard  to  learn; 

Then  ope'  another  page — still  hard  to  turn — 

In  which  experience  is  there  portrayed 

To  guide  an  erring  soul  from  whence  it  strayed, 

And  bitter  truth  illusion  will  destroy 

But  to  refill  the  cup  with  truer  joy. 

While  mortal  life  retains  its  transient  power 

We  must  be  scholars  to  each  passing  hour, 

For  every  age,  tho'  but  a  moment's  span, 

Receives  a  destiny  ere  it  began, 

And,  as  we  gain  in  years,  expanding  views 

Progressive  elements  must  e'er  infuse, 

So,  when  one  problem  's  solved  and  myst'ry  's  plain, 

Another  question  takes  the  stand  again. 

Thus  Life  remains  a  vast  prolific  book, 

At  which  some  men  scarce  deign  to  take  a  look, 

Except  thro'  spectacles  of  tinted  gla>s. 

Or  with  the  reasoning  instinct  of  an  ass, 

Which  will  ascribe  the  wond'rous  works  of  Nature 

To  less  creative  power  than  vests  the  creature; 

Stigmatize  an  infinite  conception. 

Its  grand  design,  beginning  and  completion, 

A-  chance  affairs.     Because  they  can't  conceive 

Its  mighty  purport,  therefore  disbelieve: 

Hccause  their  minds  are  not  omnipotent, 

Deem  the  great  mystery  as  impotent, 

And  strive  to  waive  the  just  decrees  of  Death 

By  hellrborn,  foetid,  Atheistic  breath. 

Without  belief,  without  a  consolation 

That  mortal  life  is  only  on  probation; 

Without  a  gleam  of  hope — of  power  divine — 

By  which  their  souls  may  ponder,  and  define 


Life. 

Their  mission  here,  their  state  when  Death  demands 
What  good  they  have  to  give  from  empty  hands. 

Man,  the  mighty  work  of  God's  creation, 
Fills  the  highest  place  in  earthly  station; 
All  living  things  beside  are  'neath  his  rule, 
Because  his  breast  alone  embalms  a  soul; 
'Tis  he  alone  whose  tongue  can  warble  songs 
Of  gratitude  to  Him  to  whom  belongs 
The  whole  expanse  of  earth.     Whose  mighty  mind 
Gave  vivid  light  and  life  to  all  mankind, 
Inspired  his  soul  with  power  to  thread  the  maze 
Of  human  life,  and  rapt'rously  to  ga/e 
\Vith  solemn  awe  upon  that  lumid  star 
Which  sheds  immortal  lustre  from  afar, 
And  pointing  hence,  thro1  mysteries  of  space, 
Bids  Reason  follow  at  an  humble  pace, 
And  tho'  it  fail  to  penetrate  the  gloom 
Which  shrouds  the  hidden  pathway  from  the  tomb, 
To  accept  the  offerings  of  his  spirit 
And  ask  no  more  than  mortal  can  inherit. 

'Tis  true  that  Life  is  only  shared  by  man, 
And  e'en  is  shorter  in  its  given  span 
Than  many  brutes';  but  should  men  thus  deduce 
That  geese  and  serpents  find  a  holier  u>e 
For  their  poisonous  fangs  and  cackling  tongues 
In  some  bright  sphere,  which  after  death  belong.- 
To  souls  of  rtifx  and  monkey^'  chatt'ring  ghosts, 
With  all  the  motly  groups  of  canine  hosts. 

"But  why,"  men  often  ask,  "should  not  it  be? 
"  Can  we  believe  in  what  we  cannot  see  ? 

1* 


10  Life* 

''  If  we  have  souls,  then  why  should  (Jod  deny 
"  To  other  living  things  like  destiny — 
•'  Maki'  \ve  alone  the  heirs  to  joys  divine, 
"  And  as  immortals  us  alone  design''' 
\Ve  ans\ver  thus  :     That  to  man  \vas  given, 
By  the  Almighty  senateship  of  heaven, 
A  lease  of  power  o'er  all  creation's  span. 
From  the  first  hour  his  term  of  life  began, 
O'er  beasts  of  every  name  and  every  grade. 
Which  for  his  instruments  \vere  solely  made: 
Whether  for  sustenance  or  for  employment. 
For  luxury  or  moderate  enjoyment, 
Quadruped?-  receive  their  brief  existence 
That  all  human  life  may  have  Mibsisteiice. 
The  mind  and  body  need  -onie  -u>tenance, 
For  death  must  needs  result  from  abstinence. 
And  animal  and  vegetable  food, 
I>ead  or  alive,  is  nothing'  more  than  food. 
Devoid  of  intellect  the  brute  has  instinct, 
\Vhile  man  has  both,  and  each  is  quite  distinct. 
Instinct,  must  teach  to  live,  but  know:-  not  why 
It  has  existence,  or  that  it  must  die. 
And  nothing  but  instinctive  intuition 
Leads  an  animal  to  till  its  mis-ion. 
This  earth  was  formed  for  man,  and  animal 
And  vegetable  life  destined  to  till 
A  destiny  which  ends  as  it  commence- 
To  animate  the  human  frame  and  senses. 

The  works  of  (iod.  so  infinitely  grand, 
Display  omnipotence  on  every  hand; 


Life.  1 1 

The  beauteous  earth,  In-decked  with  ein'rald  fields?, 
Which,  tilled  by  man,  so  bountifully  yields 
A  splendid  harvest,  food  for  man  and  beast, 
And  ev'ry  fruit,  delicious  to  the  taste, 
\Vhere  flowers  blossom  in  luxuriant  groups — 
A  fitting  emblem  of  our  fleeting  hopes, 
Shedding  a  fragrance  o'er  the  gentle  bree/e 
\Vliich  rustles  sweetly  thro'  the  murm'ring  tree^ 
Wafting  the  od'rous  incense  of  the  earth 
\-  >aerilice  to  Him  who  gave  it  birth. 

Where'er  the  eye  may  rest  >ome  mighty  truth 
I.-  Mveet  to  silvered  age  or  ardent  youth: 
The  towering  mounts,  capped  with  (Vernal  snow, 
Ne'er  melting  in  the  sun's  meridian  glow, 
Whose  heights  rise  upward  to  the  vaulted  sky, 
l>eyond  the  reach  of  keenest  mortal  eye, 
Whence  rushing  cataracts,  in  foaming  rage, 
Hoar  an  impassioned  song  from  age  to  age. 
And  rivulets  and  rivers,  rippling  >pread 
A  silv'ry  mirror  o'er  their  earthly  bed. 

The  noble  forests  of  a  thousand  years, 
Which  have  outlived  the  human  joys  and  tear.- 
Of  myriads  of  the  mortal  lords  of  earth, 
And  live  to  witness  still  the  coming  birth 
Of  millions  more,  ere  time  shall  breed  decay 
And  all  its  leafy  grandeur  fade  away. 
Are  lilting  types  of  Life.     The  tender  plan). 
Succored  by  Nature's  hand,  gains  each  instunt 
Greater  growth  and  more  enduring  form 
To  ki.-r-  ihe  Miubeums  or  withstand  the  >lorm. 


1 2  Life. 

Then  from  the  sapling  to  the  pond'rous  stem, 
When  spreading  branches  deck  the  forest  gem, 
The  pi-olid  monarch's  glorious  charms  expand 
'Till  it  in  full  perfection  nobly  stand, 
And  summer's  sylvan  breezes  sweep  its  boughs 
With  mystic  chaunts,  and  stirs  its  calm  repose 
With  those  sweet,  low  whispers  Poets  love 
To  deem  the  spirits'  converse  from  above. 

But  years  roll  on,  and  e'en  this  mighty  tree 
Must  fade,  and  bow  to  Nature's  stern  decree, 
And  thus  its  mission  to  adorn  the  earth 
Is  ended — while  a  million  more  have  birth, 
And  still  will  live,  thi*  paradise  to  grace, 
'Till  God's  last  fiat  shall  each  trace  erase. 

These  great  testimonies  of  creation 
Should  silence  doubters'  gross  confabulation 
On  points  of  theory  which  tend  to  stain 
The  grandest  works  divine — but  strive  in  vain. 
Some  men  are  fools  and  others  overwise, 
Some  follow  truth  and  others  foster  lies. 
In  some  the  animal  will  counteract 
\Vliat  iiifi'f/i'i-f  demonstrates  as  a  fact, 
And,  as  our  future  state  is  not  ren-aled, 
Ignore  a  truth  because  the  book  is  sealed; 
When  evidence  exists  on  every  hand, 
Writ  by  eternal  [ten.  divinely  plann'd, 
That  some  great  agency  created  men, 
That  they  might  read  the  transcript  o/'that  pen. 
And  thus  inscribe  upon  the  tablets  of 
Their  hearts  the  grand  solution  deemed  enough; 


Life,  \  \ 

To  teach  their  living  souls  that  after  death 
Some  other  life  will  give  immortal  breath. 

• 

Afflictions  cloud  the  day.  and  poignant  sorrow 
Endures  to-night,  but  joy  returns  to-morrow, 
And  when  the  sun  of  life  may  hide  its  beams 
For  days  and  years,  till  all  existence  seems 
A  burden,  bearing  heavily  upon 
A  life  which,  maybe,  is  but  just  begun; 
'Tis  then  we  learn  to  long  for  other  joys 
Than  those  which  earthly  time  so  soon  destroys, 
And  the  great  bitterness  of  life-long  care 
Leads  to  a  refuge  we  can  nut  find  here — 
Where  the  tired  spirit  soars  t'  immortal  heights, 
And  revels  in  the  sweets  of  heaven's  delights; 
\Vhere  consolation  sweetly  blends  with  pain. 
And  promises  a  brighter  sphere  again. 
But  yet  some  men  will  eagerly  confute 
The  argument  that  man  ix  not  //  l/rnff  : 
That  he  who  governs  all  created  things, 
And  bears  the  sceptre  and  the  crown  of  kings, 
Rules  with  a  moral  power  this  lower  world, 
Shall  be  in  dark  oblivion  ever  hurled 
\Vhen  death  releases  his  most  precious  trust 
And  all  of  mortal  life  returns  to  dust. 

Hut  is  not  that  a  better  view  of  Life 
Which  shows  the  i'inJ  of  all  its  toil  and  strife  ''. 
Why  i-hould  we  live  ''.      Why  should  we  .-utter  here 
If  we  no  other  mission  have  to  bear? 
Why  ,-hould  our  minds  and  intellect  aspire, 
When  Life's  ambition  's  gained,  to  soar  the  higher, 


1 4  Life. 

And  i>'rand  piv.>(i>Tessive  elements  contend 

llo\v  iniicli  to  earthly  greatness  each  will  lend? 

If  all  should  pnfve  at  last  an  idle  vision, 

Anil  God's  most  mighty  works  be  Death's  derision. 

Could  all  the  monuments,  of  skill  and  art, 
And  every  labor  of  the  brain  and  heart, 
Be  wrought  to  ^rand  perfection;    were  no  rule.- 
Laid  down  to  »'uide  with  skill  the  workman's  tool> 
By  master  ireniuse>;   could  peace  or  war 
Imbibe  it.-  <'lement>  except  from  /inircr — 
From  mijrhty  intellectual  supervision, 
From  "-rand  conception  and  as  <>Tand  decision  '{ 
No  !      Then,  if  true,  these  earthly  laws  must  prove 
That  some  command  must  lead  ere  man  will  move; 
So,  in  the  infinite  counsels  held  on  h.i<rh, 
This  hemisphere  received  its  destiny, 
And  a>  revolving  a<re-  live  and  die, 
l-'rom  heavt  n's  mount  beams  an  eternal  eye. 
Noting  the  features  in  the  life  of  man 
From  whence  his  infant  mission  first  bejran — 
Controlling  and  directing  all  events, 
The  chanji'iiiir  seasons,  all  the  elements 
\\"hich  constitute  the  sum  of  life  and  death, 
Cast  from  heaven  or  thrust  from  hell  beneath; 
And  when  the  sands  of  time,  which  swiftly  par-.-. 
Shall  lay  its  last  deposit  in  the  ^lass, 
The  "Teat  tiwakeninir  of  the  souls  of  men 
Shall  consummate  this  Lite's  tableau,  and  then 
He  who  has  best  fulfilled  his  mission  here 
Shall  in  the  presence  of  his  Judge  appear — 


Life. 

Receive  his  just,  eternal,  irreat  reward. 

For  havinjr  God's  omnipotence  adored. 

While  spirits  swell  in  sweet  enchantiitir  lay.- 

The  vaults  of  heaven  with  Miners  of  joy  and  praise. 

Then  shall  the  infinite  work,  which  now  is  veiled 

To  every  human  creature,  be  revealed, 

And  all  the  doubts  of  Atheists  be  hurled, 

\Vith  their  immortal  souls,  in  that  sad  world 

Where  He  ha.-  said,  in  outer  darkne.-s  dwell 

The  torturous  spirits  of  eternal  hell  ! 


Oh,  man  !    While  yet  thylife  has  one  day  left, 
liel'ore  that  Meeting  shadow  be  bereft, 
Ponder  its  truths,  and  may  a  power  divine 
With  holy  revelation  in  thee  shine — 
Ransom  thy  stud  from  bonds  of  reaxtninji1  elay, 
That  it  may  soar  to  realms  of  endless  day 
In  wonder,  adoration,  love  and  awe 
IV"  Him  who  made  thee.  and  who  made  the  law 
Which  guides  thy  reason,  and  sustains  thy  soul, 
That  thou  may  rehear-e  and  act  the  ro/<- 
Of  Life's  vast  tragedy,  and  comprehend 
The  jrlory  thou  shah  jrain  when  all  shall  end 
Then,  as  the  curtain  tails,  thy  pispino-  breath 
Shall  witness  to  the  myst'ries  after  death. 
And  a>  the  thread  of  Life  be  breaking  fast 
Midway  between  the  future  and  the  paM, 
A>  dawnin.u- jo\>  of  hcaxcn  -hall  ji'reet  thine  eye 
Thy  faltering  voice  its  truths  shall  testify. 


r6 


Life. 


And  men  who  witness  how  a  Christian  dies 
M;iy  then  renounce  all  Reason's  treaeh'rous  lies, 
And  ere  their  bodies  lie  beneath  the  sod 
They  yet  may  learn  to  live  to  HONOR  GOD. 


TO    K.   S.    K. 


HEN  GOD  reviewed  from  his  eternal  throne 

The  gracious  work  His  mighty  hands  had  done, 
The  grand  conception  of  omnipotent  power 
Wro't  to  perfection  in  an  unborn  hour, 

The  whole  expanse  of  earth,  of  sea  and  land 

Created,  model'd  by  Hist  master  hand, 

Kiii-li  living  thing,  each  unit  of  creation 

Received  its  mission,  with  His  approbation: 

The  everlasting  hills,  whose  mighty  span 

Embraces  space  no  human  eye  can  scan; 

The  snow-capped  mounts,  oVrhanging  precipice. 

The  belted  rocks  and  foaming  deep  abyss, 

The  running  rivers  and  the  murm'ring  streams, 

Dancing  and  sparkling  in  the  bright  sunbeams  ; 

The  em'rald  fields,  the  desert's  sandy  plain. 

\Vhere  thousands  tread  to  ne'er  return  again  ; 

The  mighty  ocean's  vast  expansive  sweep. 

And  wondrous  myst'ries  of  an  unknown  deep  ; 

Each  animal  and  vegetable  life, 

Its  vital  clement,  however  brief, 


18 


Imbibed  existence  sonic  wise  end  to  till, 
In  conformation  with  its  Maker's  will. 

Then  man  was  formed,  and  walked  and  talked  with  God 
Where  holy  feet  alone.  had  ever  trod  — 
Conversed  with  infinite  eternal  might. 
Communed  with  holy  spirits  day  and  night 
Till  his  Creator  formed  the  great  design 
Of  woman's  mission  and  of  man's  decline, 
Moulded  her  beauteous  form,  then  gave  her  breath, 
And  made  the  twain  one  flesh  in  sin  and  death! 
The  serpent's  power  prevailed  —  the  deed  was  done, 
And  thus  the  scheme  of  Mortal  Life  begun. 

Humanity  increased  and  nations  spread, 
And.  destiny  its  children  blindly  led 
Thro'  all  the  myst'ries  of  this  transient  life, 
it-  sensual  passions  and  remorscjess  strife. 
The  one  great  moving  element  of  which 
Sprung  from  the  deed  of  earth's  first   born,  to  reach 
A  fruit  that  God  forbid  their  lips  should  touch, 
Borne  by  the  tree  of  sin,  and  plucked  as  such. 
Transformed  their  transient  span  of  holv  life 
And  wro't  the  destiny  of  MAX  AND  \ViFK  ; 
Revealing  God's  premeditated  will     . 
To  raise  a  mighty  good  from  deepest  ill. 
In  blessing  that  which  earned  Hi-  direst  wrath 
To  fructify  the  purest  joys  of  earth, 
That  every  moral  good  should  concentrate 
In  married  life,  and  from  it  emanate 


Marriage.  H) 

Each  element  which  sways  the  universe. 

Its  highest  blessing  and  its  deepest  curse. 

Thus  man  and  wife  fulfil  the  will  of  God 
Arid  represent  the  purest  type  of  good, 
While  men  who  seek  their  mission  to  reject 
Their  Creator's  holiest  laws  neglect, 
And  sacrifice  the  noblest  joys  of  life — 
The  second  paradise  of  man  and  wife — 
For  that  which  immolates  their  dearest  gift, 
And  will  embitter  what  few  joys  are  left, 
'Till  with  the  keenest  pain  they'll  mourn,  too  late, 
Their  self-imposed,  unreal,  unmarried  state. 

The  obligations  may  appear  immense 
When  gauged,  defined,  and  rated  by  expense 
But  worldly  wealth,  when  deemed  a  just  excuse 
For  waiving  moral  right,  is  rank  abuse 
Of  that  which  constitutes  the  greatest  treasure, 
And  is  itself  the  true  impartial  measure 
Of  earthly  good,  the  only  real  foundation 
Which  rears  the  grandest  work  of  life's  creation  ; 
Where  every  moral  law  must  gravitate, 
And  in  its  mysteries   novitiate, 
Kre  man  can  realize  the  true  extent 
Of  life's  real  purpose  and  its  vast  intent; 
Its  concentrated  source  of  solid  fact, 
Where  he  alone  receives  its  worth  intact. 
And  that  which  young  men  fear  would  confiscate 
Their  cherished  ///*T///,  preponderate 


2o  Marriage. 

In  evil  influence  and  in  distress, 

Would  rather  tend  to  foster  and 

The  projects  they  conceive  and  strive  to  attain, 

But  fail  because  they  wrongly  seek  to  gain 

An  after  portion  first,  and  fear  to  test 

Joys  of  connubial  bliss  at  present,  lest 

Their  worldly  wealth  might  prove  inadequate 

To  meet  the  burdens  of  the  married  state. 

And,  though  its  tribulations  may  be  great, 

Its  varied  joys  will  amply  compensate, 

And  new  born  sorrow  gender  sweeter  joy, 

Which  nought  will  badly  tarnish,  ne'er  destroy; 

Thus  in  affliction,  wrought  from  righteous  ends, 

A  more  equivalent  bliss  most  sweetly  blends, 

For  'tis  by  suffering  we  truly  live, 

Know  what  to  take,  and  have  one  whit  to  give, 

Which  purifies  the  soul,  and  will  renew 

And  build  the  smould'ring  fires  .of  life  anew. 

The  exquisite  delight  which  love  imparts, 
From  grandest  attributes  to  minor  parts, 
The  mighty  power  with  which  it  elevates, 
The  least  conception  which  it  generates. 
Should  surely  claim  a  trifle  more  regard 
Than  as  a  stumbling  block,  which  may  retard 
Our  efforts  to  secure  what  might  be  found 
\Vith  greater  ease  upon  united  ground. 
And  of  the  ills  which  emanate  from  love 
The  vast  majority,  statistics  prove, 
Arise  from  ignorance,  or  a  sad  abuse 
Of  that  which  constitutes  its  truest  in-e. 


Marriage.  21 

Love  unrestricted  by  the  power  of  reason 
May  please  the  senses  for  a  passing-  season, 
But  as  it  germinates  its  rich  beauty 
Destroys  strongest  claims  on  moral  duty, 
Enchains  the  true  conviction  of  the  mind 
In  coils  which  kindred  evils  closer  bind, 
'Till  love  becomes  a  curse,  and  wrecks  at  last 
All  faith  and  hope  on  quicksands  of  the  p;ist. 
And  what  a  wreck  ;  what  blight,  what  desolation 
Follows  that  tinted  dream  of  love's  creation. 


'Tis  strange  that  men,  and  stranger  still,  that  women 
Should  trifle  with  the  only  earthly  heaven. 
In  which  life's  purest  joys  are  typified 
And  noblest  attributes  intensified  — 
Where  sorrow  finds  its  dearest,  tend'rest  friend, 
And  richest  gifts  of  human  nature  blend, 
'Till  life  assumes  a  garb  of  glorious  hue, 
Enhanced  and  freshened  by  the  sparkling  dew 
Of  early  morn,  and  rendered  lovlier  still 
When  even's  sunset  tints  the  mantling  hill 
Of  golden  clouds  which  wait  its  royal  descent 
And  sheds  its  parting  rays  on  life  n-cll  * 


Oh!  ye  who  tamper  with  the  power  of  love, 
Pause  ere  ye  seek  its  potency  to  pron; 
Lest  it  return  upon  your  guilty  head 
The  coals  of  living  fire  your  breath  has  fed. 
The  heart  you  once  instilled  with  hope  and  joy 
Then  cast  aside,  a  broken,  worthless  toy. 


22  Marriage. 

Whoso  life  you  decked  with  pleasing  gilded  lies, 
Shining  as  burnished  gold  before  his  eyes, 
Who  claimed  the  holiest  gift  from  noblest  man 
But  to  despoil  it,  and  return  again 
The  power  you  hold  to  gender  good  or  ill, 
Will  claim  its  vengeance  here,  or  worse  in  hell  ! 

Coquet  !  thou  poor  deluded  trivial  thing, 
Thy  senseless  trifling  might  excuse  its  sting- 
Did  you  not  transform  men  to  weakest  fools. 
And  use  them  as  the  powerless,  soulless  tools 
Of  your  own  pleasure,  while  you  sacrifice 
The  purest  trust  of  youth  to  abject  vice, 
Without  an  object  but  to  captivate 
And  gain  devotion  ;  tho'  it  turn  to  hate 
You  heed  not  its  attendant  gravities. 
Nor  that  you  gender  worse  depravities, 
But  soon  or  late  the  fate  you  please  to  mete 
To  others  will  recoil  to  your  own  feet. 

The  power  some  women  wield  is  absolute; 
Her  character  may  be  but  dissolute, 
And  virtue  be  a  by-word  in  her  mouth, 
And  crush  the  choicest  (lower  of  beauteous  youth; 
Yet,  with  a  lovely,  sweet,  enchanting  face, 
And  form  bedecked  with  every  natural  grace. 
A  silvery  voice,  a  rich  mellifluous  tongue. 
Belying  even  simplest  traits  of  wrong; 
Indeed,  a  devil  in  an  angel's  dr> 
Doomed  to  destroy  e'en  while  she  may  caress. 
She  spreads  the  snare,  and  few  withstand  her  arts,. 
But  yield  the  deepest  pa>sions  of  their  hearts, 


Marriage.  2} 

And  falling  willing  dupes  to  broad  design. 
Kach  future  pledge  of  joy  and  hope  resign. 
Ca-ting  their  destiny  in  callous  hand>, 
Wielding  the  magic,  swift   transforming  wand> 
Which  changes  misjudged  bliss  to  grim  despair 
Without  a  passing  qualm  or  single  care. 

I  have  no  faith  in  gen'ral  "broken  hearts," 
Because  the  salvo  of  time  soon  heals  the  parts. 
And  none  but  maudlin  creatures  long  retain 
A  morbid  liking  for  a  lingering  pain, 
When  their  own  folly  and  infatuation 
W>o't  all  their  ruin,  loss  and  desolation. 
But  happiness  will  lose  its  varied  charms 
When  wrecked  in  fickle  woman's  twining  arms. 
And  taint  the  noblest,  purest   atmosphere 
Which  otherwise  man  holds  so  richly  dear; 
Will  chasten  all  his  life  with  stern  tuition, 
Blast  his  highest  aim  and  best  ambition, 
And  tho'  the  hand  of  time  may  heal  the  wound. 
'Twill  ne'er  again  in  life  be  wholly  sound, 
For  thro'  this  sad  and  oft  occurring  stain 
The  dream  of  imni  and  n-ii'c  is  rent  in  twain. 
But  now  we  pass  from  falsity  to  prove 
The  glorious  influence  of  genuine  love, 
And  that  which  constitutes  without  exception 
The  truest  life,  in  all  its  rich  perfection. 

Dreams  of  wealth,  of  fame  and  noble  station. 
Glowing  pictures,  wro't  by  youth's  ambition. 
Absorb  the  mind  with  pleasant  occupation. 
But  need  one  impulse  to  true  inculcation 


24  Marriage. 

Of  happiness.     Tis  love  and  union, 

Holy  and  faithful  in  reciprocation, 

Which  lend  a  gilded  charm  to  ev'ry  function, 

And  blends  with  hardest  toil  the  richest  unction. 

When  once  the  beams  of  love  illuminate 

The  heart  of  man,  the  hardest  blows  of  fate 

Fall  with  a  softened  touch  upon  a  life 

Absorbed  in  one  great  joy — a  future  wife; 

Then  the  roughest  corners  of  his  nature 

And  each  unprepossessing  feature 

Are  softened,  moulded,  cleansed  and  beautified, 

To  match  the  perfect  model  by  his  side. 

The  man  or  woman  who  has  never  loved — 
And  such  there  are — have  never  really  lived. 
By  love  I  mean  that  fierce  resistless  fire 
Which  ever  opposition  fans  the  higher — 
A  firm,  enduring,  soul  inspiring  power, 
Which  gathers  nobler  laurels  every  hour, 
Braves  the  storms  of  life,  of  sin,  rejection, 
Loves  when  robbed  of  all  its  best  perfection; 
Still  loves  when  weary  years  have  long  since  cast 
A  former  substance  in  a  baseless  past — 
Which  wanders  back  in  misty,  painful  dreams, 
Yet  as  an  earnest,  mournful  present  seems, 
Still  loves  when  love  has  lost  its  charm  in  death, 
Or  worse,  destroyed  by  sin's  corrupting  breath. 
This  is  the  love  which  gilds  our  dreary  life 
And  brightens  all  our  cares,  our  trials  and  strife, 
Replenishes  the  exhausted  powers  of  mind 
'Till  in  existence  new  born  joys  we  find — 
Sways  us  with  influences  sweetly  tending 
To  noble  issues,  gently,  purely  blending 


Marriage.  25 

The  attributes  of  good  with  powerful  ill, 

'Till  all  that  holy  stands  grows  holier  still, 

And  shadows  which  might  shroud  our  lives  in  gloom 

Are  scattered  where  'tis  litter  they  should  loom. 

But  still  the  joys  of  lovers  cud  not,  here, 

However  all-suffieient  they  appear; 

The  bless'd  communication  of  their  love 

lias  yet  its  choicest  excellence  to  prove. 

Parental  love  !  that  deep  unfathomed  love 
Which  the  recesses  of  our  jaature  move; 
An  uncontrollable,  ecstatic  force, 
What  mind  can  fully  comprehend  its  source, 
Or  tongue  describe  its  great  unfailing  strength, 
Its  wond'rous  might,  its  depth,  its  breadth,  its  length? 
No  human^eloquence  ;  aye,  richest  lore 
Of  intellect  and  passion  could  no  more 
Than  stand  amazed,  in  steadfast,  silent  awe 
And  viewing,  fail  to  picture  what  it  saw — 
For  grandest  language  fails  to  do  its  duty 
In  terms  which  near  express  its  wond'rous  beauty. 

A  mother's  love  !  oh,  ye  who  have  it  prize  it, 
For  those  who  judge  it,  lightly  or  despise  it 
Will  s uft'er  yet  the  deepest,  fell  remorse 
Which  ever  typified  an  actual  curse. 
The  time  must  come  when  those  soft  loving  arms 
Which  reared  thy  infancy  to  manhood's  charms. 
That   melting  voice,  which  soot  lied  thy  childish  fears. 
And  gaily  chased  away  thy  gath'ring  tears, 

-2 


26  Marriage. 

Those  sparkling  eyes,  which  watched  thee  as  thou  slept, 

Or  overflowed  because  her  treasure  wept, 

Who  nursed  thee  in  thy  sickness,  and  in  health 

Rejoiced  at  each  return  of  \at  ure's  wealth, 

Who  taught  thy  prattling  tongue  to  lisp  her  name, 

And  joined  thy  frolics,  revelled  in  each  game 

Which  pleased  thy  infant  mind,  and  loved  each  toy 

Because  it  gave  her  little  offspring  joy; 

\Vlio  watched  thy  budding  charms  of  lovely  youth, 

And  fed  its  soil  with  germs  of  holy  truth, 

Moulded  thy  beauteous  manhood's  opening  leaf 

With  tend'rest  care,  lest  it  should  gender  grief 

By  turning  into  channels  spread  with  snares, 

Which  might  bear  evil  fruit  in  future  years; 

And  whom,  when  indiscretion  earned  thee  shame, 

Sheltered  thy  deepest  faults  and  bore  their  blame — 

Suffered,  wept,  rejoiced,  and  all  for  thee, 

As  my  lost  angel  mother  did  for  me — 

Shall  pass  away,  and  "  immortality 

Be  swallowed  up  of  life."     Oh!  dire  fatality, 

What  sacrifices  now  thou'd  fondly  make 

Could  they  that  lifeless  form  again  awake; 

What  wealth  would  give  for  one  sweet  chiding  word, 

Which  yet  in  former  years  you   coldly  heard, 

And  maybe  stung  her  kind  solicitude 

\Vith  cruel  anger  and  with  bearing  rude. 

But  no!  the  time  is  past,  her  body's  dead, 

And  all  but  memory  now  from  earth  has  fled. 

Mother!  the  last  sad  glimpse  I  had  of  thee 
Thy  form  was  bowed  with  anguished  grief  for  me, 


Marriage.  27 

For  /was  leaving  home  and  friends,  to  dwell 

In  other  lands — and  there  the  curtain  fell — 

For  ne'er  again  my  weeping  eyes  will  fall 

On  her  who  \vas  my  joy — almost  myall — 

For  death  has  claimed  her  precious,  treasured  love, 

And  nought  will  e'er  again  its  equal  prove. 

May  (Jod  permit,  dear  reader,  you  may  never 
Know  what  it  is  to  part  like  this,  forever, 
From  her  who  still  remains,  I  trust,  to  prove 
Her  sons  and  daughters'  fondest,  tend'rest  love. 

X  father*  love!   what  words  can  tell  the  joy 
Which  centres  in  his  dearest  girl  or  boy  ? 
Gauge  the  strong,  deep,  stirring,  pure  affection— 
Heaven's  attribute  in  earth's  perfection. 

Tis  his  great  duty  to  correct  and  guide, 
And  make  his  present  joy  his  future  pride; 
To  chasten  with  a  wise,  impartial  force, 
And  purge  from  evil  weeds  life's  future  course — 
To  watch  each  yielding  gift  of  budding  years, 
And  nourish  or  suppress,  as  best  appears. 

The  man  who  loves  his  wife  must  love  his  child 
And  foster  love  in  it  ;  destroy  or  build 
The  future  happiness  of  all  their  lives 
According  as  his  love  withholds  or  gives; 
That  moral  truth  maintains  its  proper  sphere 
Wherever  sentiment  might  interfere. 
The  father — loved  in  youth,  when  manhood  graces 
His  offspring's  life,  and  gath'ring  age  replaces 
//is  raven  head  with  locks  of  nlvery  white, 
And  closing  day  foreshadows  coming  night — 


28  Marriage. 

Gains  holier  love  in  venerable  years, 
Finds  a  sweet  refuse  from  his  former  cares, 
And  in  his  children's  children  reaps  great  joy 
For  all  the  love  he  lavished  on  his  boy. 

Thus  parents  sip  the  sweetest  draught  from  joy. 
And  test  the  truth  of  life  without  alloy, 
Which  binds  the  human  race  in  bonds  of  bliss 
And  soothes  the  fiercest  passion  with  a  kiss. 

May  He  who  wro't  this  holy  institution 
Bless  its  vot'ries  with  a  kind  fruition 
Of  every  hope,  expressed  in  humble  prayer 
To  Him  who  formed  the  words,  so  loves  to  hear. 
Then  skeptics  shall  restrain  their  foolish  jeers 
At  married  joys,  because  its  life  appears 
The  noblest  lot  on  earth,  and  nearest  heaven, 
With  its  choicest  blessings  freely  given 
To  gild  our  mortal  life  with  purest  gold, 
And  such  as  ne'er  is  bartered,  bought  or  sold. 


D 


orcrttt. 


OMK  men  are  prone  to  envy  others'  \vealth; 

Some  envy  men's  siiece.-s,  some  envy  health; 

Some  envy  intellect,  some  envy  power; 

Sonic  envy  passing  pleasures  of  an  hour. 
There  V  little  <rood  or  bad  on  this  poor  earth 
Mut  .-nne  seemed  (loomed  to  envy  from  their  birth — 
\Vho  never  seem  so  pleased  as  when  intent 
In  plaguing  others  with  their  discontent. 
Nature  has  ordained  that  men  must  differ. 
And  some  lie  <|iiite  exempt  while  others  suffer; 
And  if  we  take  our  portion  with  a  curse 
It  only  makes  the  matter  ten  times  \vorse. 

Folks  may  irrowl,  complain,  and  waste  their  tear.-. 
'Twill  brighten  not  a  day  in  fifty  year.-: 
The  only  antidote  the  iLi'ods  have  sent 
Is  to  push  ulonjr  and  lie  content. 
\Vhat  if  one  be  rich,  another  poor; 
They  e;ich  have  some  afflictions  to  endure 
Peculiar  to  their  case,  and  fain  would  share 
A  portion  of  the  ills  they  each  must  bear. 


30  Poverty. 

Stern  poverty  is  Nature's  noblest  school, 
And  educates  whom  wealth  might  leave  a  fool; 
Where  all  refractory  youths  arc  forced  to  pen 
The  lessons  which  will  make  them  useful  men; 
Give  power  to  act  and  think,  to  n-nrl,-  and  make  — 
A  fortune,  most,  no  doubt,  would  rather  take. 

Here  genius  weaves  the  fabric  of  a  work 
In  which  ten  thousand  hands  may  yet  embark. 
And  builds  a  glorious  future  in  a  present 
Which  to  a  needy  purse  may  be  unpleasant. 

Should  destitution  strive,  with  threatening  frown, 
To  stint  the  gift  e'en  poverty  has  thrown. 
Finn  manhood  rouses  all  his  latent  power 
And  saves  his  gutted  ship  from  sinking  lower: 
And,  like  a  vet'ran  mariner  at  the  helm, 
Altho'  before  his,  eyes  the  gathering  Him 
Of  death  ma}r  oft  obscure  his  forlorn  hope, 
With  raging  elements  he'll  bravely  cope, 
And  guide  his  storm-tossed  bark  thro'  treach'rou.-  shoal- 
And  thereby  save  his  own  and  many  souls. 
'We  all'must  serve  apprenticeship  to  life, 
Nor  sip  its  sweets,  but  we  resist  it.-  strife; 
The  test  is  grand,  the  effort  grander  still 
Which  wins  a  precious  prize  by  hard  bought  skill. 

But  ye  who  shrink  from  poverty  as  crime, 
Because  no  need  its  rugged  dirt's  to  climb, 
Who  gauge  its  victims  by  a  pampered  rule, 
1'nlit  to  test  the  substance  of  a  fool — 
Who  pride  your  manliness  upon  your  wealth, 
Whether  inheritance  or  gained  by  stealth — 


Poverty.  31 

Recline  on  velvet,  drink  from  golden  ware, 
And  eat  the  dainties  epicures  prepare, 
Yet  fear  contamination  in  the  touch 
Of  empty  hands,  but  hands  which  labor  much 
To  make  your  glitt'ring  hordes — time  may  reverse, 
And  in  those  honest  hands  may  place  your  purse, 
And  then  you'll  learn — it  may  be  learn  too  late — 
To  render  poverty  a  kinder  fate. 

With  riches  man  can  frame  a  curse,  or  bless 
The  store  of  him  who  needs  his  kind  caress, 
Gain  glory,  education,  highest  fame, 
And  best  of  all,  may  earn  an  honored  name  ; 
May  feed  the  hungiy,  clothe  the  shiv'ring  form, 
Shelter  the  homeless  from  the  withering  storm, 
And  gild  the  earth  with  radiant  tints  of  joy — 
All  burnished  gold,  and  not  a  grain  alloy — 
As  oft  he  nobly  does;  and  thus,  poor  man, 
r>r  generous  in  your  veto  if  you  can, 
For  know  that  were  it  not  that  some  were  rich 
The  bed  of  many  poor  might  be  a  ditch. 
The  wealth  you  envy,  and  would  idly  share. 
Yourself  can  make  it  if  you  do  and  dare; 
And  tho'  an  "  Aristocrat"  you  roundly  blame, 
Would  you  object,  just  now,  to  be  the  same  ? 
If  others  have  the  gift  of  wealth  and  station 
Let  it  excite  your  laudable  ambition. 
To  gain  yourself  what  now  you  may  denounce, 
Because  its  owners  care  not  to  renounce 
Their  title  to  it  ;  what  you  would  humbly  take 
By  honest  labor  you  may  trebly  make. 


32  Poverty. 

Some  men,  when  only  poor,  assume  they've  cast 
A  hopeful  future  in  a  baneful  past,       , 
And  as  the  spectre  may  be  grim  and  gaunt, 
\Vill  road  its  mission  and  its  name  as  "Want;" 
And  tho'  the  two  are  cold  and  hard  of  heart 
Their  special  destiny  must  lie  apart, 
But  will  assimilate  if  men  permit 
Their  energies  to  flag,  and  bodies  sit 
In  weak  inaction,  and  in  sorrow  mope 
Over  the  remnants  of  one  blasted  hope. 

Want  can  be  resisted  by  the  poor 
In  many  instances,  if  they  endure 
The  prospect  of  its  terrors  without  fear, 
And  force  a  smile  instead  of  shed  a  tear. 
But  these  conditions  are  most  often  blended, 
And  will  increase  a  rent  that  might  be  mended 
If  sound  material  were  rightly  used 
And  older  rags  with  dignity  refused. 
While  health  and  strength  are  ours  what  need  we  more  ? 
Why  demoralize  because  we're  poor  ? 
While  life  retains  a  spark  hope  has  not  fled, 
But  we  must  lie  as  we  may  make  our  bed. 
The  hardest  lot  may  still  be  softened  much 
By  many  a  genial  if  not  generous  touch, 
And  sympathy  exert  a  potent  power 
In  the  most  weary,  hopeless,  bankrupt  hour, 
While  friendship  proves  the  choicest  of  its  worth 
And  fructifies  a  lately  barren  earth. 

The  sorrows  of  the  poor  indeed  are  great, 
But  poverty  is  not  so  hard  a  fate 


Poverty.  }  ] 

As  those  who  never  felt  it  may  conceive, 
And  still,  perhaps,  its  evils  ne'er  relieve; 
There's  joy  in  sorrow  us  there's  joy  in  love, 
And  joy  in  taking  what  'tis  joy  to  give; 
There's  joy  in  hardest  toil,  in  poorest  fare; 
There's  joy  in  every  trouble  man  may  bear; 
No  suffering,  no  affliction,  loss  or  pain, 
But  some  sweet  gift  will  fill  its  place  again. 
Tho'  wrested  from  the  last  of  all  our  gold 
Is  life  less  .-weet  because  the  tale  is  told? 
The  sunbeams  still  play  o'er  the  glistering  dew 
Of  early  morn,  which  dawns  as  much  for  you 
As  other  men  ;  then  gird  your  loins  for  work, 
And  tho'  the  atmosphere  be  damp  and  dark 
That  bright  sun's  rays  will  penetrate  at  last 
And  all  your  gloomy  visions  shall  be  past. 
And  God  may  bless  the  means  you  once  forsook 
And  give  a  hundred  fold  for  what  He  took. 

I  know  the  sweets  of  great  prosperity, 
Have  felt  the  weight  of  deep  adversity, 
And  in  them  each  have  learned,  tho'  may  be  loth, 
Life's  grandest  work  is  centered  in  th<-m  !><>th. 

Life  has  many  shades,  and  each  complexion 
Is  food  for  sober  thought  and  deep  reflection, 
And  every  phase  has  something  worth  to  teach 
Which  only  can  be  learned  by  toting  each, 
And  tho'  we  shrink  from  what  the  task  reveal, 
In  after  life  we  may  be  brought  to  feel 
Its  pungent  truths,  and  gain  a  rich  reward 
In  having  that  once  lost  again  restored, 

2*  ' 


34  Poverty. 

Refined  and  purged  from  all  impurity. 
Which  counteracts  the  soul's  maturity. 

We,  as  immortal,  therefore  must  prepare 

To  learn  to  die,  by  braving  what  we  fear 

In  case  the  casket  may  be  bruised  and  torn 

In  polishing  the  gem  which  is  t'  adorn 

A  better  life,  a  holier,  happier  sphere, 

To  enter  which  we  needs  must  mffer  here, 

And  gaining  this,  what  greater,  nobler  gift 

Could  be  desired,  when  nought  on  earth  is  left — 

Our  race  is  run  ;  our  destiny  is  done  ; 

Our  haven  gained  ? — -a  bright  immortal  sun 

Shall  dry  the  rivers  of  our  mortal  strife 

And  shine  forever  o'er  a  peaceful  life. 

But  here  no  sorrow  floods  the  sufferer's  eye, 

No  blasted  hopes  in  shattered  fragments  lie, 

No  deprivations  steal  the  joys  of  life 

And  strew  our  path  with  thorns  of  pain  and  strife  ; 

But  in  the  hand  which  deals  its  bitterness 

There  nestles  some  sweet  antidote,  to  bless 

And  fill  the  gaps  of  misery's  creation 

Thro'  which  the  chill  winds  of  destitution 

May  rush  in  woful  blasts — so  cold,  so  bleak, 

That  shelter  seems  a  mockery  vain  to  seek. 

By  suffering  loss  ourselves  we  learn  to  know 
The  keenness  of  a  fellow  creature's  woe, 
And  thus  can  heal  a  wound  with  tender  skill 
When  otherwise  we'd  barely  have  the  will. 

However  we  may  feel  our  life  a  cui>e 
There's  many  a  kindred  soul  which  suffers  worse, 


Poverty. 

And  while  we  have  a  share,  however  poor, 
Is  there  no  starving  brother  need-  it  more? 
Then  ye  who  have  ;i  crust,  tho'  poor  a  fare, 
Accept  it  humbly,  accept  it  with  a  prayer 
That  having  this  a  chastening  'Jod  will  bless 
Your  cruet,  that  its  oil  may  ne'er  be  less. 

That  some  have  little,  some  e'en  overmuch, 
lias  ever  been,  and  must  remain  as  such, 
For  were  all'mortals  rich  life's  war  would  end. 
For  none  would  lead  the  attack  and  none  defend. 
To  corn  their  bread  it  follows  men    must  irark: 
Hut  who  amongst  ns  would  not  gladly  shirk 
So  stern  a  duty  and  laborious  task  ''. 
\Ve  need  not  answer,  much  less  need  we  ask. 

Our  mijrhty  commerce  ne'er  had  spread  the  seas 
Had  not  a  laboring  hand  first  felled  the  trees 
Wherewith  to  build  the  ships,   and  others  still 
Had  planned  and  fashioned  all  with  craft  and  skill. 
Our  stately  structures,  noble  works  of  art, 
Had  never  pleased  the  eye  or  cheered  the  heart 
Had  not  necessity  inspired  the  soul. 
And  fabricated  when  it  left  a  whole. 
Were  we  ne'er  sick  we  should  not  value  health. 
Were  we  not  poor,  should  not  ".>•/>//•<•  to  wealth; 
And  lacking  thus  an  earnest  aspiration. 
Would  never  feel  that  trlorious  inspiration 
Which  keeps  the  soul,  the  body  and  the  mind. 
In  one  intense,  unswerving  work  combined, 
(iaininjj:  the  road  to  wealth  by  earning  fame, 
Which  good  work  most  justly  will  reclaim 


36  Poverty. 

The  poor  man's  portion  from  a  stain  so  foul 
That  what  he  lacks  in  wealth  he  lacks  in  soul. 

Poverty  is  noble,  grand,  sublime  ! 
Tho'  by  misuse  it  often  "renders  crime. 
Some  fear  its  touch  and  dare  not  with  it  cope, 
But  in  its  iirst  appearance  lose  their  hope. 
And  fall  a  prey  to  what  would  be  a  friend 
Did  they  its  mission  fully  comprehend. 
While  some  are  wealthy  others  must  be  poor, 
But  self-respect  can  close  privation's  door 
And  keep  it  shut;  while  fortune,  slow  but  sure, 
Rewards  the  strength  of  him  who  can  endure  ; 
And  e'en  the  poorest  may  in  time  be  rich 
If  they  but  weave  the  fabric  stitch  by  stitch. 

When  youth  attains  to  manhood's  golden  prime 
Others  must  then  commence  their  race  with  time. 
Maturity  has  won  its  well  earned  wealth, 
Then  let  the  youth  refuse  its  gain  by  stealth, 
Nor  envy  him  who,  once  as  poor,  has  fought 
And  onward  marched,  as  all  true  soldiers  ought, 
'Till  Fortune's  smile  replaced  her  whirring  frown 
And  showered  the  gifts  with  which  his  path  is  strewn. 
Look  upward  !     Onward  !     Flag  not  for  an  hour, 
And  as  yon  strive  forget  that  you  are  poor. 

The  noblest,  grandest,  stateliest  pride  of  man 
Is  having  nothing  when  he  first  began 
His  contest  with  the  world,  and  sought  the  field 
With  firm  determination  for  his  shield, 
Resistance  for  his  sword,  and  trust  in  God, 
That  he  might  find  the  path  where  fortune  trod. 


Poverty. 

And  tlio'  we  fail,  and  lose  the  all  we  make, 
It  matters  not,  there's  plenty  more  to  take; 
And  tho'  the  sacrifice  may  rankle  sore, 
AVe  but  resume  the  place  we  held  before. 
Defeat  should  not  discourage — try  again; 
We  shall  not  find  our  energy  in  vain. 
Our  path  may  be  obscure,  our  mission  humble, 
But  we  may  higher  rise  howe'er  we  stumble, 
And  losing  much,  retaining  sell-reliance, 
Can  bid  the  hard  cold  world  a  brave  defiance; 
For  Fortune  favors  those  who  boldly  seek, 
And  loves  her  votaries,  however  meek. 
Howe'er  swift  she  run  we  may  o'ertake  her, 
And  shout  triumphantly  at  last,  "Eureka!" 
And  if  the  hand  of  fate  should  interpose 
And  check  the  race,  'tis  better  to  oppose 
Than  weakly  grumble  at  the  erratic  course. 
When  forced  to  travel  with  an  empty  purse. 

The  truest  pleasure  represents  the  pace 
A:  which  we  run,  and  tho'  we  lose  the  race 
Our  happiness  will  never  be  the  less 
'Till  we  receive  the  blow  or  kind  caress. 
For  even  if  we  win  the  sequel  sliow> 
That  many  a  keen,  sharp  thorn  may  stud  a  rose; 
And,  tho'  we  wear  the  laurels  on  our  breast, 
\Ve  lose  the  unction  when  we  >tay 
What  we  receive  in  cool  reality 
Is  little  when  compared  to  ideality; 
Then  if  we  rise  or  fall,  no  matter  which, 
The  true  delight  consists  in  getting  rich. 


emperaiuT 


OMK  men,  born  in  chronic  fomentation. 
Effervesce  with  much  determination, 
As  if  their  bubbling-  and  excited  state 
Evidenced  a  wise  and  well  stocked  pate; 
Lecture  and  impart  without  permission, 
Because  they  please  to  adorn  a  mission, 
And  minister  to  men  their  ultra  notions 
In  vapid,  crude,  and  nauseating-  potion-: 
Earning-  more  disgust  for  drug  and  doctor 
Than  estimation  as  a  benefactor. 

Fanaticism's  soil  is  most  prolific, 
( ienerating;  a  divine  specific 
For  the  ills,  corruptions  and  exces.-e- 
Which  its  "advocate"  the  most  distresses, 
And  'mid  the  varied  faults  at  which  they  rave 
There's  naught  so  potent  as  a  "  drunkard's  grave." 
While  all  true  principles  of  temperance 
Are  injured  by  their  lack  of  common  sense, 
Fevered  imagination  and  weak  brain, 
Which,  as  an  overloaded  water  main, 


Temperance.  39 

Prematurely  cracked,  explodes  in  haste, 
And  all  its  liquid  treasure  runs  to  waste. 

Plumed  with  the  notion  that  they  are  inspired 
Their  wat'ry  zeal  is  indiscreetly  fired, 
And,  once  baptized  in  confraternity, 
They  plug  the  outlet  to  eternity 
With  condemnations  of  the  wilful  soul 
Who  dares  to  patronize  the  "  flowing  bowl," 
And  would  have  the  world  make  restitution 
For  fools'  crimes  and  self-caused  destitution; 
Condemn  indulgence,  tho'  in  mod'rate  use, 
Because  its  principles  some  men  abuse; 
Have  Legislative  power  assist  their  cause 
By  framing  unjust,  arbitrary  laws. 
Storming  freerneris'  rights,  and  inclinations, 
And  sound  principles,  with  wat'ry  rations. 

But  evil  lurks  in  every  form  and  guise 
\Viiich  sinful  nature's  cunning  can  devise; 
With  every  pleasure  and  each  passing  joy 
Some  element  of  ill  will  mostly  cloy, 
And  by  insatiate  lust  and  fierce  desire 
Transform  a  latent  spark  to  raging  fire, 
Which,  unchecked  by  reason,  soon  destroys 
Life's  truest  Messing  and  most  equal  poise. 

And  ti'/n/xTd/K-i'  \<  tliat  \vhich  can  resist 
An  evil,  while  temptation  may  persist 
In  making  proselytes  of  knaves  and  fools, 
Who  for  a  drunken  revel  stake  their  souls; 
Which  reason  dictates  to  discriminate 
'Twixt  good  and  ill,  nor  to  appropriate 


4-O  Temperance. 

The  gift  of  Nature  with  a  sottish  greed, 

Or  seek  indulgence  in  a  simple  need. 

And,  tho'  the  crime  of  drunkenness  be  great, 

All  .softer  men  decline  to  advocate 

The  doctrine  of  an  abstinence  fanatic, 

That  sinners  to  be  saints  must  be  aquatic. 

But  some  stanch  brothers  of  a  gushing  "  League" 
Will  spout  for  many  hours  with  small  fatigue, 
And  argue,  with  a  glowing  eloquence, 
That  water  is  of  vital  consequence 
In  cleansing  morals  from  an  inward  rust 
And  washing  spirits  from  their  mortal  crust. 

"Beware!"  cries  brother  Aqua,  "Friends,  beware 
"  Of  drunkenness,  the  mod'rate  drinker's  snare. 
"Wine  is  a  mocker,  and  strong  drink  a  raging 
"  Which  grows  the  fiercer  while  the  thirst  assuaging  ; 
"  The  more  men  drink  the  more  they  will  desire, 
'"Till  soul  and  body  burn  in  liquid  fire. 
"You  cannot  sip  nor  touch  a  sparkling  wine, 
"  Altho'  tile  purest  produce  of  the  vine, 
"  But  it  \vill  taint  your  nature,  and  will  doom 
'•  A  short  existence  to  a  living  tomb. 
"  A  drunkard's  portion  fills  that  glitt'ring  cup, 
"  Whether  you  merely  taste  or  drink  it  up. 

"  When  once  you  take  this  step  all  hope  is  lost, 
"  And  as  the  purchase  so  must  be  the  cost; 
"  I  draw  no  difference  nor  demarcation 
"Between  a  luxury  or  simple  ration — 
"  Between  indulgence  or  a  temperate  use, 
"A  mod'rate  custom  or  a  rank  abuse — 


Temperance.  41 

"The  man  who  drinks  must  bear  a  drunkard's  name, 
"  And  in  a  sot's  carousal  share  the  shame." 

Thus  have  I  heard  these  gentlemen  denounce 
The  crime-  of  men  who  care  not  to  renounce 
Their,  right  to  please  a  lawful  inclination, 
Enjoy  their  wine,  and  risk  denunciation 
From  lips  which  frame,  from  mental  indigestion,       . 
A  damning  answer  ere  one  asks  a  question. 

Such  words  were  cast,  with  most  impressive  force, 
At  my  devoted  head;  nay,  even  worse, 
By  one  who  bathed  his  principles  in  water 
And  styled  himself  a  "  temperance  supporter;" 
Professed  that  all  perfections  must  adhere 
To  mortals  who  condemn  a  glass  of  beer, 
And  that  the  doctrine  first  and  last  imputed 
Is  that  the  soul  is  lost  unless  diluted. 
And  yet  that  man  is  now  committing  treason 
'Gainst,  each  dictate  of  the  merest  reason 
By  advocating  anti-temp'rance  notions 
In  unrestrained  debauch  and  deepest  potions. 
From  early  youth  his  principles  were  trained 
To  abstinence — and  these  were  well  retained, 
With  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  cause 
He  weakly  deemed  the  best  of  moral  laws, 
Until  the  influence  of  actual  life 
Conquered  his  prejudices,  once  so  rife, 
Subdued  his  reason  by  a  fierce  desire, 
Which  shattered  conscience  only  fanned  the  higher. 


42  Temperance. 

From  which  \vc  can  deduce  that  Nature  asks 

No  forced  restrictions  or  unusual  tusks. 

Offers  her  richest  gifts  with  lavish  hand, 

But  scorns  the  fool  whose  mind  cannot  withstand 

Seductions  of  excess,  and  falls  a  snare 

To  depths  of  weakness  idiots  cannot  share. 

And  should  moral  strength  resign  the  palm 

Which  only  saves  a  blinded  youth  from  harm, 

Itcsire  and  passion,  once  as  strongly  caged, 

When  by  temptation's  influence  enraged, 

AVill  burst  their  life-bound  bonds  with  reckless  haste, 

Anew  intoxicating  joy  to  taste; 

And  thus  his  principles  will  fast  decay, 

And  once  invulnerable  precepts  lay 

Broken,  blasted,  crushed  and  wrecked,  alas! 

In  what  he  once  denounced,  a  tippler's  glass; 

For  Nature,  robbed  for  years  of  simple  right, 
When  Indiscretion  seeks  to  test  her  might, 
Retaliates  with  cold,  relentless  power, 
And  fetters  youth  in  vice  within  an  hour. 
But  he  who  has  been  taught  to  moderate 
His  inclinations,  and  discriminate 
'Twixt  legitimate  pleasures  and  the  vices 
Which  throng  in  paths  of  life  in  strange  devices, 
Knows  by  tuition  and  experience 
That  true  knowledge  and  most  strong  adherence 
To  life's  bc-i  portion  is  to  test  the  whole, 
Nor  shun  to  blend  his  nature  with  his  soul, 
Will  not  reject  a  favor  and  a  friend 
Because  some  vicious  attributes  may  blend 


Temperance.  4} 

To  punish  those  who  madly  satiate 
The  wants  of  Nature  at  a  sottish  rale. 

True  temp'rance  I  admire;   but  that  the  "  pledge.7' 

A-  enthusiasts  glowingly  allege, 

Is  Nature's  noblest  way  to  be  divine, 

And  lie  who  f/rm.'x  to  drink  a  glass  of  wine. 

Tho'  strictly  temperate,  is  ten  times  worse 

Than  he  who  forms  and  then  rejects  a  <-iiw. 

I  must  submit  evinces  inconsistence 

In  ganging  principles  of  true  resistance, 

For  he  who  can  withstand  a  great  temptation, 

My  traversing  a  line  of  demarkation 

\Vhich  assigns  the  paths  of  right  from  wrong, 

Proves  to  possess  an  intellect  more  strong. 

A  sterner  reason,  nobler  moral  caste, 

Than  he  who's  forced  to  adopt  the  course  at  last, 

When  good  example  shows  the  enormity 

Of  what  is  self-imposed  infirmity, 

But  daring  not  to  trust  true  temperance 

Shelters  and  saves  his  life  in 


A  temperate  life,  in  abstinence  or  slight 
Indulgence,  is  and  ever  must  be  right: 
But  he  who  dares  assert,  as  many  do, 
A  theory  so  thoroughly  untrue. 
That  men  who  love  the  produce  of  the  vine, 
Nay,  may  at  times  to  jovially  incline. 
Pander  to  evil  and  support  a  crime 
Too  base  to  picture  in  this  humble  rhyme, 


44  Temperance. 

Must  either  lack  experience  or  the  strength 
Of  mind  to  clip  desire  to  sober  length. 

A>  prejudice  must  surely  clog  the  mind, 
And  hardly  judge  of  liberal  mankind, 
An  analysis  is  worthy  >mall  respect 
By  men  who  never  ted  what  they  dissect. 

Heal  temperance  men.  of  principle  and  sen.-e, 
Will  slum  to  annoy  and  offer  deep  offence, 
By  bigoted  disgust  and  reprehension 
Of  that  which  meets  their  lawful  condemnation 
When  made  the  slaves  of  Itmf.  and  sinful  passion. 
Blasting  immortal  life  without  compassion. 
But  so?m>  who  adapt  their  principles  to  <i«ii>. 
Inflamed  by  prejudice,  would  please  arraign 
Their  brethren  who  may  differ  at  the  bar 
Of  outraged1  Nature,  and  indeed  debar 
Their  precious  souls  from  heavenly  fruition 
Because  they  may  resent  their  crude  tuition. 
'Tis  such  at  whom  I  take  my  truest  aim:     ~ 
\Vlio,  if  they  care,  may  render  me  the  same. 

Noble  temperance  men!      1  gladly  hail 
Your  great  determination  to  assail 
An  evil  which  pollutes  the  atmosphere. 
And  lills  each  crevice  in  this  lower  spere; 
Ne'er  cease  to  raise  in  eloquence  your  voice 
'(JainM  drunkenness,  and  may  your  hearts  rejoice 
In  reclamation  of  a  mortal's  name 
From  all  the  horrors  of  a  drunkard's  shame 


Temperance.  4 

high  the  banner  of  your  righteous  cause, 
And  may  each  tempted  soul  obey  its  laws; 
May  God  support  and  bless  an  earnest  aim 
To  save  an  erring:  man  from  even  blame; 
Then  shall  the  curse  of  wine  resign  its  breath 
And  fill  the  grave  it  dug  for  moral  death. 

But  they  who  haunt  the  cause  with  spectral  dreams, 
And  bigoted  and  most  obnoxious  themes. 
Disport  their  sentiments  in  Godly  guise 
When  all  is  prejudice  and  blinded  lies; 
Who  curse  the  matter,  and  would  save  a  sin 
By  emptying  wine  and  pouring  water  in, 
"Whose  narrow  minds,  of  gross  and  meanest  span, 
See  evil  in  the  drink  but  none  in  man, 
Thus  classify  the  whole  as  embryo  sots, 
And  helpless  slaves  to  pints,  from  thence  to  pots. 
And  teach  that  strongest  nature  can't  restrain 
A  soul  from  hell  until  it  shall  abstain, 
Are  bigoted  fanatics,  dupes  and  fools, 
And  need  be  soused  until  their  ardor  cools. 

Nature  is  bountiful;  then  use  her  well, 
And  pledge  her  in  a  glass,  but  simply  full; 
Enjoy  the  blessing  our  Creator  gave 
In  moderation,  and  a  balance  save 
For  those  whom  poverty  denies  a  share 
Of  that  which  many  might  a  portion  spare: 
Then  shall  the  wine  our  Saviour  drank  and  blest, 
As  of  natural  bev'rage  purely  best, 
Ere  He  resigned  His  glorious  mission  hm- 
And  bought  immortal  joys  so  richly  dear. 


46  Temperance. 

Be  rescued  from  its  direful  imputation 
Of  luring  souls  to  death  and  to  damnation. 

But  ye  who  retail  liquors — poisonous  drugs — 
In  shape  of  bev'rages,  shall  drink  the  dregs 
Of  that  with  which  you  succor  every  crime, 
And  guileless  natures  with  a  demon  prime. 

Let  temperance  advocates  rehearse  their  parts, 
'Till  tempered  to  assail  the  hardest  hearts. 
While  Legislative  power  provides  no  law 
For  drunkard  makers  drunkards  still  will  fall 
Deeper,  yet  deeper,  in  the  pits  of  vice 
Which  these  infernal  human  fiends  devise. 

See  yonder  youth,  about  to  "take  a  drink;" 
ITe  makes  it  two,  and  totters  on  the  brink 
Of  that  abyss  in  \vhich  he  might  not  sink, 
Did  he  who  fed  the  spark  but  check  the  flame, 
Instead  of  quickening  the  light  of  shame. 
But  no  !     His  cash  alone  these  vampires  seek, 
Who  reckon  drunkenness  a  happy  freak 
To  fill  their  coffers;  and,  if  e'er  his  purse 
Should  fail  in  that,  a  thrust  and  callous  curse 
Stretches  his  senseless  form  upon  the  stones, 
Whereon  he  ends  his  life  or  breaks  his  bones; 
No  matter  which,  no  matter  how  he  fell, 
A  drunkard's  shame  is  all  the  tale  to  tell. 

\Vhile  this  exists  let  temp'rance  lecturers  teach- 
They'll  gender  little  good  by  all  they  preach — 


Temperance. 


47 


And  tho'  their  mission  may  be  quite  sincere,    * 
How  loud  they  speak  'twill  faintly  reach  the  ear 
Of  those  whom  Satan  finds  an  easy  prey, 
Because  our  Legislature  paves  the  way. 


ll 

ifnsation   |itcratui|t 


|  ow  strange  it  scorns  that  mortals,  blost  with  brains, 
Should  sock  to  bind  their  intellect  in  chains 
Moulded  by  Satan's  hands,  and  linked  with  lies, 
And  coated  with  a  counterfeit  disguise 
Of  ninety-nine  per  cent,  of  base  alloy 
Mixed  with  a  grain  of  fact,  and  that  a  toy, 
Pleasing  little  by  its  introduction 
But  rather  more  by  its  entire  destruction. 

To  define  the  worth  and  curzc  of  "  Fiction" 
Test  its  principles  with  cogent  diction, 
Laud  its  merits,  and  explain  its  uses, 
Virtues,  beauties,  and  its  rank  abuses  ; 
To  separate  the  precious  from  the  vile, 
And  classify  the  whole  in  graphic  style, 
Which  might  convince  a  poor  deluded  slave 
That  he  abetted  in  a  crime  so  grave 
As  robbing  nature  of  its  holiest  truth, 
De  spoiling  age,  denuding  early  youth 


Sensation  Literature.  49 

Of  all  the  attributes  which  constitute 
The  actual  facts  of  life;  and  substitute 
A  false,  insidious,  visionary  cheat, 
Beguiling  reason  to  its  treacherous  feet, 
And  stamping  out  what  little  share  of  brains 
In  a  poor  addled  cranium  remains; 
Wrecking  God's  best  vessel  on  the  strands 
Of  moral  death — must  rest  in  stronger  hands 
And  comprehensive  intellects  than  mine, 
Unless  the  arduous  task  they  should  decline. 

The  "  literature  "  of  this  progressive  age 
Keeps  pace  with  people's  overwhelming  rage 
For  something  more  than  natural  life  can  give, 
To  taint  the  atmosphere  in  which  they  live. 
Thus,  vilest  sins,  and  hideousness  of  crime 
Must  be  redeemed  by  traits  of  the  sublime, 
And  causes  and  effects  reverse  their  place 
To  admit  of  being  decked  with  charming  grace: 
And  shrouding  fact  beneath  a  false  ideal, 
That  minds  may  fashion  to  a  type  of  real, 
And  devilish  natures,  worse  than  Nero-ic, 
Be  rendered  pretty,  if  not  heroic. 

But,  virtues  heightened  by  an  ideal  leap 
To  altitudes  which  make  believers  weep, 
Descended  from  their  bright,  exuberant  flight, 
Present  at  best  a  very  sorry  plight 
In  human  dressing,  and  in  sober  truth, 
Undecked  with  glittering  lies;  and  'venturous  youth 

3 


5O  Sensation  Literature. 

Grows  morbid  in  his  rnsb  attempts  to  reach, 
In  actual  life,  the  dreams  tbat  tbeorists  teacli. 
And  in  bis  baseless  efforts  to  aspire, 
Sinks  yet  deeper  while  he  soars  the  higher. 

Fiction  which  keeps  within  the  bounds  of  rear-on. 
And  counts  truth  not  wholly  out  of  season. 
Which  neither  soars  to  realms  ethereal 
Xor  tampers  with  the  attributes  of  hell, 
Which  dallies  with  the  tender  sentiments 
Without  depo.-iting  rank  sediments, 
Or  trifles  with  affairs  of  Trivial  ca.-te. 
.To  be  forgotten  when  the  scene  is  past. 
May  help  to  while  an  idle  hour  away 
And  brighten  up  a  gloomy  wintry  day, 
And  does  no  harm,  at  least,  altho1  the  mind 
Might  often  better  occupation  find. 

Still,  as  a  genuine  source  of  relaxation, 
When  life's  dull  cares  engender  hard  taxation. 
'Twill  prove  a  good   specific,  and  its  use, 
While  mainly  sought  to  leisurely  amuse. 
Recuperates  the  exhausted  powers  of  mind. 
And  physical  and  mental   evils  find 
An  exquisite  relief — refreshing  ease — 
From  that  which  otherwise  might  barely  please; 
And,  that  truths  are  well  displayed  in  fiction 
I  offer  no  pretence  at  contradiction. 

;Tis  sweet,  when  tired,  and  weary  of  the  world. 
To  have  the  leaves  of  fancy's  dreams  unfurled— 


Sensation  Literature.  51 

To  wander  'midst  elysian  scenes  of  bliss, 
Where  llowei',-  bend  with  wealth  of  love  to  kiss 
Their  blooming  mates,  and  swayed  by  gentle  bree/e 
Coquette  gaily  'neath  the  whispering  trees — 
Whose  iniirinnr'd   songs,  in  cadence  sweet  and  low, 
(Their  rust  ling-  leaves)  in  concert  hail  the  bow 
Which  gives  them  budding-  life  and  beauteous  form, 
And  bears  them  strongly  thro'each  threatening  storm. 


'Tis  sweet  to  spend  a  contemplative  hour 
In  the  recesses  of  a  rustic  bower, 
Shielded  with  clustering  vines,  sweet  jessamine, 
Jvoses  and  honeysuckle,  which  entwine 
Their  loving  branches,  and  whose  rich  perfume        » 
Grows  sweeter  by  each  treasure  they  exhume; 
To  wander  thro'  the  overhanging  grove 
And  listen  to  the  twittering  words  of  love 
With  which  bright  plumaged  birds  allure  their  choice 
To  aid  them  in  their  song — in  twain  rejoice. 

To  mount  sky-kissing  hills,  and  there  review 
The  wond'rous  picture  which  the  Almighty  drew— 
The  towering  mounts,  the  gentle  sloping  dale, 
The  lovely  glen  and  peaceful  sleeping  vale, 
The  winding  brooks,  and  plashing,  murm'ring  streams, 
The  emerald  sea— whose  mighty  bosom  gleams 
And  sparkles  in  the  sun's  meridian  rays — 
A  cause  of  gratitude  and  endless  praise 
To  Him  whose  lavish  hands  has  fashioned  thus 
This  second  paradise,  and  nil  for  //.-•. 


$2  Sensation  Literature. 

'  Tis  sweet  to  commune  with  natures  good  and  pure, 
And  in  our  views  of  truth  find  something  truer — 
Something  we  seldom  find  in  natural  shape, 
\Vhich  needs  therefore  an  ideal  hand'to  drape, 
That  we  may  feel  that  rarest  virtues  shine 
In  lustrous  beauty,  and  this  world  entwine; 
Which  animate  the  soul  to  emulate 
Such  rich  perfection — or,  at  any  rate, 
To  admire  an  altitude  it  cannot  reach 
And  learn  a  lesson  that  it  cannot  teach. 


Did  novelists  confine  their  highest  pitch 
To  points  where  no  impediments  could  hitch 
Tvvixt  earth  ami  heaven,  they  might  etherealize 
Their  wondrous  pictures  to  the  vaulted  skies; 
But  when  they  seek  forbidden  heights  to  scale, 
And  steal  an  angel's  dress  to  deck  their  tale 
Of  wondrous  purity,  their  ultra  zeal 
Gains  more  disgust  than  love  for  its  ideal, 
And  men  who,  fondly  loving  virtuous  women, 
Despise  the  pilfered  attributes  of  heaven; 
For  while  one  dreg  remains  of  human  nature 
It  will  contaminate  the  purest  creature, 
And  those  who  're  steeled  by  life  to  truth  and  reason 
Judge  every  natural  fraud  as  moral  treason. 
But  when  these  subjects  are  the  novelist's  theme, 
However  overdrawn  or  stale  they  seem, 
They  do  not  tend  to  taint  and  vitiate 
Tho'  off  ring  little  worth  to  appreciate, 


Sensation  Literature.  53 

And  with  small  patronage — less  commendation — 
Live  and  die  without  much  condemnation. 

But  ye  who  build  "sensation  story'  lame, 
And  gain  a  paltry  tho'  notorious  name 
For  pand'ring  to  the  worst  desires  of  nature — 
Painting  sin,  and  gilding  every  feature 
Which  might  disgust  the  inexperienced  youth 
Who  eagerly  devours  each  lie  as  truth — 
Whose  ''ghosts"  disport  in  every  shape  and  guise 
Before  his  vacant  mind  and  glaring  eyes  ; 
"Demons  and  imps"  of  worse  than  hell's  invention 
Chaining  his  intellect  in  wrapt  attention, 
And  deeds  of  horror,  tales  of  crime  and  blood— 
A  demoniacal  and  sickening  brood, 
Which  float  as  ghastly  phantoms  o'er  his  brain 
'Till  semi-idiotcy  his  mind  enchain — 
Deserve  the  highest  censure;  deepest  curse 
On  every  cent  that  swells  your  well  filled  purse. 

These  "writers"  waste  their   most  pernicious  brains 
In  robbing  others'  wits  t'  increase  tln'ir  gains, 
Counting  no  other  cost  than  printer's  ink, 
And  care  not  tho'  a  thousand  souls  may  sink 
In  the  abvss  of  crime  from  their  tuition 
So  they  escape  the  brunt  of  its  fruition. 
1  knew  a  "  coxi',"1  and  there  are  many  such, 
Altho'  our  Christian  friends  don't    heed  them  much. 
In  which  a  youth  of  promise  early  souglit 
Morbid  ex<'i'<'inent,  where  such  things  are  taught 


54  Sensation  Literature. 

As  supernatural  stories,  tales  of  "ghosts," 

And  awful  earthly  power  of  "  demon  hosts," 

"Thrilling  adventures,"  and  the  num'rous  trash 

Which  crowd  the  book  stalls  in  a  race  for  cash. 

The  more  he  read  the  more  he  wished  to  read, 

And  every  leisure  hour  wras  wont  to  feed 

His  fast  disordered  mind  with  nervous  fire, 

Until  its  lurid  gleams  could  rise  no  higher, 

Then  burst  their  bonds  and  left  him  *tai'in<i  mad  ! 

In  moral  darkness,  and  to  reason  dead. 

This  is  a  fact,  and  many  daily  tread 

The  same  sad  track,  till  life's  best  gift  has  fled 

To  such  an  extent  as  surely  robs  the  mind 

Of  all  pure  attributes  of  true  mankind. 

\Vhen  woman  falls  a  snare  to  this  foul  blot 
Her  reputation  is  not  worth  a  jot, 
And  tho'  her  nature  seeks  more  Mnifii/v/if 
Than  hideous  pictures,  still  its  vile  intent 
Robs  her  of  all  tha-t  makes  her  worth  the  name 
Of  wife  and  mother — turns  her  pride  to  shame; 
And  greatest  duties  meeting  sad  neglect, 
Her  person  gains  no  longer  men's  respect; 
Husband  and  children,  all  domestic  cares 
Are  washed  away  in   maudlin,  senseless  tears, 
Shed  for  a  baseless  vision,  void  of  good, 
And  to  the  purest  nature  noisome  food. 

Weak  woman's  nature  craves  what  man  rejects- 
\Vho  scorns  an  ideal  life,  which  she  respects — 


Sensation  Literature.  55 

Because  his  contact  and  combat  with  life 
Dispels  ethereal  dreams  thro1  actual  strife — 
Leaves  him  no  time  to  play  with  moral  fools 
And  con  their  vicious  texts  in  Fiction's  schools — 
Because  his  mind  is  formed  for  trork  and. fact, 
And  every  passing  phase  conspires  to  act 
In  opposition  to  the  weak  attempt 
Of  visionary  minds  to  coax,  and  tempt 
His  reasoning  powers  to  play  a  second  part, 
And  pander  to  the  weakness  of  his  heart. 

But  woman,  much  secluded,  left  at  leisure, 
Has  oft  naught  to  engage  her  mind  but  pleasure, 
And,  if  pernicious  ';  books  ''  are  in  her  reach, 
She'll  sacrifice  her  mind  and  time  to  each 
Until  its  influence  becomes  narcotic, 
And  she,  wrapt  in  it,  simply  idiotic. 
That  is  weak-minded  souls,  who  have  a  share, 
Enough  of  simple  brains,  but  none  to  spare. 

True  women  I  admire  and  dearly  love, 
And  would  not  wound  their  hearts,  or  seek  to  move 
One  glist'ning  tear,  or  earn  a  just  reproach 
By  one  hard  utterance,  or  to  approach 
Their  persons,  lives  or  names,  in  act  or  word, 
But  with  respect  and  tenderest  regard — 
And  such  will  freely,  willingly  endorse 
This  painful  picture,  if  not  paint  it  worse. 

I've  seen  these  literal1}  persons  .-it 
Like  statues  in  an  up  >/>{<'<  lie  fit; 


56  Sensation  Literature. 

Their  rigid  forms  would  give  a  sudden  start, 

Their  eyes  protrude,  their  ashen  lips  would  part, 

And  every  feature  witness  the  intense 

Delight  they  felt  in  losing  all  their  sense. 

Wrapt  in  the  folds  of  pages  "red  with  gore," 

They  shiver,  then  perspire  at  every  pore, 

While  ever  and  anon  a  sickly  laugh 

Will  follow  maudlin  tears.     If  bold  enough 

To  address  them  you  will  find  them  querulous — 

Try  to  detract  them,  'tis  but  perilous — 

They  mutter  "  yes  "  and  "  no."    "  Oh  bother  !"  "  Don't," 

As  if  to  snap  and  snarl  it  was  their  wont; 

And  when  at  last  reluctantly  they  fold 

The  "paper"  thus  a  conversation  hold  :' 

"  How  Harry  Noodle  fell  in  love  with  Maud, 

"  Who  loved  instead  a  certain  Willie  Laud  ; 

"  And  Harry,  when  rejected,  fired  with  evil, 

"Swore  he'd  send  poor  Willie  to  the  devil; 

"  So  sought  him  out  and  cut  his  wretched  throat, 

"  Then  cursed  his  own  poor  brains  and  blew  them  out! 

"  At  which  Miss  Maud  -fell  sick  and  tried  to  die, 

"  But  lived  instead  and  married  on  the  sly. 

"  Her  husband  proved  a  drunkard — broke  her  head, 

"  Then,  in  delirium  trrmens  put  to  bed, 

''  Passed  quite  a  lively  time  with  phantom  hosts, 

"  And  bolted  off  at  last  with  other  ghosts.  " 

And  then  they  make  the  affecting  declaration 

How  much  it  did  excite  their  admiration  ; 

While  all  around,  in  slovenly  profusion, 

Are  littered  household  goods,  in  blank  confusion  ; 


Sensation  Literature.  57 

And  they,  perhaps  the  most  confused,  arise 
To  close  in  sleep  their  weary  aching  eyes, 
And  blissfully  impart  to  walls  ami  chairs 
Their  furtJirr  dreams  for  want  of  better  ears. 


Forty  per  cent,  of  all  the  "  magazines  " 
Feed  the  rising  generation  in  their  teens 
With  food  which  ne'er  digests,  but  turns  to  rot, 
And  makes  the  cheapest  purchase  dearly  bought. 
'Tis  true  they  oft  considerately  allot 
A  space  to  "  Household  Treasures,"  "Facts,"  and  dot 
The  pages  here  and  there  with  trifling  "  Essays" 
And  borrowed  jottings— jokes  in  ancient  dresses 
Or  touch  upon  some  really  truthful  theme  ; 
But  this  is  all  the  "good"  that  may  redeem 
Their  character  from  absolute  disgrace 
And"  help  to  cover  stains  they  can't  erase. 
And  even  "Pulpit  men  "  of  wide  repute  — 
"  Servants  of  Christ  !"  make  up  and   follow  suit  ;  . 
"  Contribute"  to  this  cause  of  anti-truth, 
Which  mars  the  happiness  of  fervent  youth. 
Thus,  those  who  should  be  most  opposed  to  evil, 
Neglect  their  Master's  work  to  serve  the  devil. 

Precious  wasted  hours  will  ne'er  return, 
Nor  will  the  useful  lessons  men  nught  learn 
When  youth  is  supple,  and  whose  future  jov 
Is  -nerificed  for  what  ?  an  ideal  toy, 
That  pleases   for  an  hour  ;    but,  cast  aside. 
Retains  its  influence,  and  will  deride, 

3* 


58  Sensation  Literature. 

In  timo,  his  ctlurts  to  secure  a  prize 
In  life's  hard  lottery,  thro"1  tinlt-d  //>.-;. 

For  once  the  mind  becomes  a  morbid  slave 
To  baseless  notions  life  becomes  a  grave. 
Where  present  aerial  hopes  must  sink  at  last. 
A  fit  memorial  to  "a  misused  past. 

May  he  or  she  who   reads  these  humble  line. 
However  little  merit  in  them  shine>. 
Ponder  \vell  their  truth,  and  if  it  save 
One  fellow  creature  from  this  moral  grave. 
My  work  is  done,  my  recompense  is  great; 
'Tis  all  I  ask;  God  grant  it — soon  or  late. 


Jjdigioiu 


[DRE,  priceless  gem,  whose  lustre  never  wanes; 

Source  of  all  earthly  joys;  Whose  pow'r  enchains 
!  ^Y,   Our  souls  in  the  bonds  of  love,  delight  and  peace, 

Decking  the  hardest  couch  with  softest  ease; 
\V~hose  moral  influence   can  best  assuage 
The  fires  of  youth,  and  check  the  strongest  rage 
\Vhicli  leads  the  soul  to  spread  its  win^s  and  soar 
To  realms  where  it  would  fain  return  no  more  ; 
\Vhere,  realizing  heaven's  abounding  love. 
Longs  when  that  still  small  whisper  from  above 
Shall  breathe  the  message  from  Emmanuel's  throne 
That  Nature  to  Death's  fiat  must  alone. 


Happy  the  man  who,  blest  with   light  divine. 
The  problem  of  existence  can  define. 
Penetrate  the  mysteries  of  his  state,  . 
And  link  with  Providence  the  law  of f«t><; 
And.  'mid  the  principles  of  mortal  life. 
Its  moral  force  and- fierce  internal  strife. 


60  Religion. 

Its  gloomy  sorrows,  transient  fleeting  joys, 
Its  solid  basis  and  its  trivial  toys, 
Has  one  great  object,  one  great  hope  to  gain — 
One  bright  eternal  promise  to  attain. 

This  temporary  life  must  fade  away, 
And  all  its  valued  joys  must  soon  decay  ; 
How  soon — how  late — the  hour  will  come  at  last 
When  earth's  long  lingering  destiny  is  past, 
And  God's  most  noble  work  must  yield  its  trust 
And  turn  again  to  earth — its  kindred  dust. 

The  noble  intellect,  the  powerful  frame, 
The  splendid  talent  and  the  mighty  fame, 
Tlio  kindling  eye.  the  heart's  swift  beating  pulse, 
The  steady  purpose,  and  the  warm  impulse; 
The  love  and  anger — passion's  fitful  sway — 
The  fire  of  youth,  each  vivid  quickening  ray 
Which  lights  the  lamp  of  life,  must  fade  and  wane. 
And  lose  its  every  vestige,  but  to  gain 
A  nobler  casket  and  a  brighter  gift — 
A  substance  offered  for  a  dream  bereft. 

Oh,  God!  that  man,  thy  handiwork  and  pride, 
Should  scorn  Religion,  and  its  claims  deride; 
Reject  its  counsels,  ridicule  its  worth, 
Blind  to  all  attributes  except  of  earth. 
A  living  soul,  but  animated  clay, 
Without  a  hope  beyond  an  earthly  day; 
Who  lives  for  self,  for  lust,  for  sensual  joys; 
Whose  wordly  dreams  all  hope  of  heaven  destroys, 


Religion.  fti 

\Yhen  could  they  fool,  for  one  short  dwelling  hour, 

Religion's  .-\veet.  enrapt,  inspiring  power 

Hold  sweet  communion  with  its  melting  charms, 

Rest  for  one  moment  in  its  loving  arms — 

Sip  but  one  drop  of  neetar  from  its  fount 

Of  joy,  compassion,  mercy     feebly  mount 

One  step  to  heavenward  hli>s,  they'd  barter  all 

Life's  longest  span  that  moment  to  recall. 

Ah  !  none  can  tell  the  joy  Religion  gives 
But  he  who  loves  and  in  its  influence  lives. 
The  cup  of  life  may  overrun  with  gall 
But  God's  most  precious  mercy  sweetens  all. 
Dejected  to  despair,  distressed  with    care, 
Crushed  with  affliction,  burdened  much  with    fear, 
The  world's  horizon  may  be  dark  with  clouds. 
Which  with  a  gloomy  veil  all  comfort  shrouds; 
Infirmities  may  compass  flesh   and  mind, 
And  grief  and  sorrow  vainly  seek  to  find 
Some  antidote  from  earth  for  earthly  pain, 
Or  in  its  many  evils  hope  to  gain 
A  listening  ear.  a  sympathetic   friend. 
Or  distant  promise  of  a  coming  end. 

But  there  the  Almighty  shows  his  boundless  love. 
And  sends  us  stores  of  comfort  from  above. 
Tis  then  our  chastened  spirits  dwell  with  (iod. 
Recipients  of  His  mercy  dealing  rod, 
And  then  we  feel  our  need  of  something  more 
Than  man  can   offer  from  his  meagre  store. 

Religion  is  not  learned  by  worldly  good 
From  costly  divans,  epicurean  food. 


62  Religion. 

Unbridled  luxury  and  pompous  \vcalth 

N'or  gained  )>y  bribery  or  treacherous  stealth; 

Tis  no  criterion  of  great  estate, 

Of  education,  or  a  \vell  filled  pate, 

Nor  the  essential  point  in  scholarship 

Of  solid  reason,  or  a  temperate  lip; 

'Tis  not  <lt'i>endent  on  morality, 

On  fleshly  feasts  nor  high  hilarity, 

On  penances,  great  sacrifice  or  cheer, 

Or  reckless  daring  and  excessive  fear  ; 

'Tis  not  an  index  from  amoral  sphere, 

To  lead  its  votaries  to  find  it  flnve, 

Nor  yet  the  pinnacle  of  earthly  fame, 

And  of  a  so-called  great,  immortal   name; 

1  hif  i/i(m  mtnj  ft  Kir  <ihoi-n  h>n  million*  more, 

And  >/cf,  in  (in<r*  lir*l  irealth,  be  icow  Ihmi  poor. 


All  earthly  pom}),  pride,  arrogance  and  sho\v, 
And  altitude  of  power,  must 'meekly  bow — 
The  siren  joy  of  life,  its  sensuous  smile 
Masking  with  luring  charms  a  heart  of  guile — 
All  earthly  schemes,  all  sordid,  selfish  ends, 
Bright,  airy  visions — every  hope  that  tends 
To  centre  life  in  self  must  suffer  loss 
Kre  man  can  fitly  bear  the  Saviour's  cross; 
And  then  Almighty  love,  when  nought  remains 
Of  earthly  bliss,   a  thousand  fold  sustains 
The  fainting  heart  and  sorrow  stricken  soul, 
And  makes  a  shattered  part  a  blessed  whole. 


Religion.  63 

Religion  is  A  gift — tlie  gift  of  grace — 
Offered  unfettered  to  the  hiiinau  rare. 
<iod  asks  no  price  nor  recompense  from  man 
Kxccpt  that  cadi  shall  strive  the  best  he  can 
To  keep  the  casket  pure,  and   best  adorn 
The  spotless  gem  which  His  o\vn   breast  has  \vorn. 
That  each  may  see,  and  seeing  may  admire 
The  Christian's  badge,  and  earnestly  aspire 
To  emulate  a  \vork  whose  zeal  and  power 
( } rows  but  the  stronger  with  each  fleeting  hour  ; 
That  adds  a  lustre  to  a  worthy  name, 
To  moral  worth  high  eminence  and  fame, 
Beautifies  the  best  of  earth's  perfection. 
Mirrors. heaven's  charms  in  sweet  reflection; 
Adds  a  mortal  spark  to  heavenly  light. 
And  proves  its  moral  power  hi/  doi/n/  rirjhf. 

G<><><]  iror/.-x  must  ever  bear  an  essential  part 
\Vheiv  godliness  has  graced  the  human  heart  ; 
But  CJii'i.tlian*  seek  to  emulate  their  (lod, 
And  ask  no  merit  from    an  earthly  good, 
Content  that  none  should  know  or  even  guess 
That  they  were  made   an  instrument  to  bless 
The  weary  soul,  the  wounded,  sick  and  sore. 
And  aid  the  needy  from  their  meagre  store  : 
To  cheer  and  comfort  those  oppressed  with  care. 
And  calm  the  spirit,  faint  with  boding  fear. 
IIU  deeds  of  mercy,  generous  works  untold 
And  noble  nature     -be>t   of  earthly  mould — 
May  pass  unrecogni/ed   amid  the  throng 
Of  those  \vlio  tread  the  paths  of  right  and  wrong  ; 


64  Religion. 

But  registered  in   heaven  each  deed  is  known 
Which  gains  at  last  a  bright  immortal  crown. 

But  still  Religion  has  another /nend — 
\  seeming  angel,  but  at  heart  a  fiend — 
The  hypocrite — the  basest,  meanest  cheat, 
Fawns  and  cringes  at  its  blessed  feet, 
Because  he  knows  the  power  it  will  sustain 
With  men  of  worth  and  reckons  well  its  gain. 

With  craft  enough  to  see  its  tendency 
To  gain  respect,  and  much  ascendanc}^ 
With  men  of  merit,  mind — of  course  of  wealth — 
Procures  its  vestures  by  insidious  stealth 
To  serve  perfidious  ends  and  cloak  a  lie, 
A  fraud — nay,  crimes  of  nature's  deepest  dye — 
With  a  disguise  of  saintly  purity, 
Affecting  zeal  and  lowly  piety. 

But  e'en  these  people  serve  a  better  end, 
And  to  Religion's  prestige  prove  a  friend; 
For  seeking  to  disguise  their  true  aspect 
Beneath  its  ample  folds,  they  show  respect 
For  virtues  they  are  forced  to  don  by  fraud. 
Lost  their  true  intentions  show  too  broad. 
These  vot'ries  to  Religion's  holy  shrine 
As  valued,  useful  members  ever  shine 
In  churches  where  the  truth  of  God  is  made 
A 'servant  to  the  source  whence  most  is  paid — 
Where  fleshly  teachings  puff  with  paltry  pride. 
Which  devils  foster,  pamper,  tho'  deride. 

Should  Bishop  So-and-so  describe  a  case 
Of  charity,  by  which  their  Christian  grace 


Religion.  65 

Mar  lio  enhanced  by  further  commendation, 
They  will  re>pond  with  ample  contribution; 
Thus  gain  the  world's  applause  as  generous  men, 
Earn  sycophantic  praise,  and  tongue  and  pen 
Attest  their  wond'rous,  open-hearted  zeal 
In  giving  what  they'd  ten  times  rather  steal. 
Should  none  but  God  perceive  the  deprivation, 
And  He  alone  demand  a  reparation, 

The  b&ser,  meaner  crime,  the  richer  unction — 
Greater  ill  inflicted,  least  compunction — 
For  while  "Religion"  can  be  bought  with  gold. 
And  keeps  on  par  with  men  by  whom  Vz'x  .«<>///. 
They  glide  to  hell  with  very  much  distinction, 
'Till  there  their  virtues  meet  with  sharp  extinction; 
And,  'mid  the  freaks  of  Nature's  crafty  skill, 
Which  patches  up  the  meanest  type  of  ill, 
Really  the  worst  disguise  of  fraud  extant 
Is  Satan's  own  conception — fulsome  cant. 

While  Truth  exists,  and  Purity  sustains 
An  honored  place  with  men  of  worth  and  brains, 
These  "creeping  thing.*"  of  most  obnoxious  mould, 
Which  denizen  the  lowest  moral  world, 
Will  missile  men  with  one  eternal  rant — 
Grovelling  meekness  and  infernal  cant. 

These  "  Christ  ian>  ''  tell  you  how  "  their  spirit  "  yearns 
Towards  the  "'dear  Saviour;"  how  their  "bosom  burns" 
With  love  and  adoration  for  the  Lamb — 
Their  "gentle  Jesus" — paint  the  great  f  AM 
A<  meekly  ministering  \n  their  ''  precious  soul  ;" 
Themselves  as  spotlc--  vessels,  pure  and  whole, 


66  Religion. 

Watch  tin-in  at  church,  and  note  i\ie pious  zeal 
With  \vhich  they  pray,  respond,  arise  and  kneel, 
(Jazing  upon  their  pastor's  genial  face 
A\rith  saiictiiiioiiions  looks,  brimful  of  grace, 
Then  nod  the  head,  or  wag-  it  to  and  fro, 
To  signify  to  Brother  So-and-so 
How  \vell  tJu'ij  understand,  ho\v  sweetly  hear 
Mere  fleshly  words,  which  make  "their  case''  so  clear. 
But  when  the  service  ends,  mark"  well  how  strange- 
A  transformation  scene  betokens  "  change ;" 
They  shift  and  fumble,  show  a  dollar  bill, 
That  all  may  see  the  power,  so  judge  the  will  ; 
But  when  the  plate  is  passed  the  bill  is  dropped, 
And  then  a  ten  cent  stamp  is  quickly  popped 
Amongst  a  goodly  pile  of  " contribution," 
Which  saves  the  church  at  least  from  destitution: 
Or,  more  discreet,  they  get  their  full  of  grace, 
Then  quietly  rise  and  meekly  quit  the  place. 
To  save  their  conscience  from  a  sin  so  grave 
As  lnii/ii)'j  what  their  Master  freely  gave. 
Then,  linked  with  some  "  dear  brother" — sainted  f ri end- 
Wit  h  solemn  "Christian1'  gait  they  homeward  bend, 
And  in  the  "spirit''  pleasantly  commune, 
Or  as  the  "  spirit  moves"  so  change  their  tune: 

"Brother,  what  did  you  think  of  that  discourse 
•'  Of  Dr.  Cash  ?      You  heard  him  well,  of  course; 
''  I  never  felt  so  lifted  up  before 
"And  much   refreshed;  and  in  that   precious  hour 
"  He  suited  me  exactly — made  it  plain 
"That  I'm  a  chosen  ve-sel,  void  of  stain. 


Religion.  67 


"And  what  fe\v  sins  I  rrrr  did  commit 

••  \Vere  pardoned  ;  that  I  carried  Christ's  permit 

"  To  pass  me  thro'  this  barren  wilderness 

"Straight  to  the  promised  land;  and  I  confess 

"That,  as  on  Saturday  I  took  my  rents, 

"  I  helped  the  blessed  cause  with—;  -fifty  cents" 

"  But  did  you  notice  that  young  minx,  Miss  Dash  ? 
"  It  is  a  sin  to  come  to  church  so  '  flash;  ' 
"  She  never  pays  for  what  she  buys;  I'm  sure, 
"  For  tho'  she  dresses  fine  she's  very  poor. 
"  Her  '  pa'  is  but  a  clerk,  and  she,  Ihdar, 
"  \  teacher  for  a  paltry  sum  per  year. 
"And  then  to  make  a  show-—  presuming  creature  — 
"  She  laid  two  dollars  in  the  plate.      /  h"fr.  Jin-  ."' 

"  Quite  right,"  says  Brother  Snuffle,  "  very  true; 
''I  always  sympathize  with  such  as  you. 
"And  notice  Mrs.  A.,  who  looks  so  meek, 
"  She  only  paid  me  hall'  her  rent  last  week; 
"She  says  her  child  is  sick,  her  work  is  slack, 
"  And  sundry  things  conspire  to  throw  her  back. 
"  That  I  cannot  help;   and,  hc<j  or  borrow, 
•'  She  must  pay  me  down  my  rent  to-morrow. 
"  She  always  has  enough  for  charity, 
••  I>iit  there,  I  think,  is  great  disparity— 
••  For,  if  'tis  true  it  should  begin  at  home, 
"She'd  better  pay  her  debts,      lint,  brother,  come, 
"  \Ve  will  not  talk  of  that  this  Sabbath  night  ; 
"'Tis  true  they  're  in   a  very  sorry  plight. 
"  1  thank  the  Lord  lle'>  made  me  differ  much 


68  Religion. 

"In  mind,  and  soul,  and  worldly  goods,  from  s 
"  Who  must  l)o  sinful  else  they'd  not  be  poor, 
"  And  torment  Christian  people  every  hour." 

"But  still  there's  Mrs.  B.,  who's  always  smiling; 
'•  I've  heard  she's  half  her  time  beguiling 
"  In  prac.tie.ing  before  her  looking-glass  — 
"  Indeed,  I  see  her  there  whene'er  7"pass— 
"And  tho'  by  some  she's  counted  quite  a  saint, 
"  Her  color  must  be  false  —  I'm  sure  'tis  paint. 
"  She  don't  look  Christianlike,  and  what  is  more, 
"  She  never  prays  —  at  least  I  never  saw  her" 

"  On  Sunday  last  I  heard  old  Parson  Plain  —  • 
"  A  dreadful  man  —  I  will  not  go  again. 
"  He  was  impious,  spoke  of  hell  and  damn, 
"And  said  our  principles  were  all  a  sham; 
"  That  we  were  sinners,  vile,  unclean  and  base, 
"  Instead  of  Christian  people,  saved  by  grace; 
"  Said  that  long  prayers  were  hateful  in  the  eyes 
"  Of  Him  who  judges  wholesome  truth  from  lies, 
"And  public  piety  was  oft  a  r/uise 
"Concealing  evil  deeds  with  canting  lies, 
11  And  other  awful  tilings  I  dare  not  mention 
"  Lest  you  believe  I  have  some  bad  intention. 
"But  now  we're  home,  dear  friend,  pray  just  step  in 
"  And  take,  as  usual,  a  glass  of  gin." 


So  now  —  three  s///r/^x  join  in  blissful  talk  — 
We'll  deem  it  prudent  to  resume  our  walk, 
And  ask  no  pardon  for  our  sketch;  in  fact 
It  should  be  more  severe  to  be  intact. 


Religion.  69 

These  frauds  on  every  precept  good  and  pure 
Grow  ten  time-  \vorse  ere  they  become  mature; 
Thus  "  grow  in  grace"  till  God's  eternal  fiat 
Hids  their  prating  be  for  ever  quiet. 


True  piety  shines  bext  in  Christian  women — 
Fit  emblems  of  the  purity  of  heaven. 
A  lowly  spirit,  meekness  of  the  dove; 
A  grand  devotion,  rich  in  faith  and  love; 
A  blessed  charity  and  feeling  heart, 
In  generous  sympathy,  all  bear  a  part 
(A  pungent  antidote  to  earthly  ill) 
In  making  lovely  woman  lovelier  still. 
This  child  of  God  devotes  each  precious  hour 
As  ministering  angel  to  the  sickly  poor, 
To  cheer  the  hopeless,  succor  the  distressed, 
Ease  the  suffering  and  relieve  the  oppressed. 

The  noblest  laurels  ever  won  and  worn 
Are  thine,  dear  friend,  to  heighten  and  adorn 
A  life  of  love — to  which  no  eartlrly  crown 
Could  add  one  lustre,  glory  or  renown. 

The  noblest  song  that  poet  ever  sung, 
Or  struck  from  sweetest  lyre  e'er  yet  strung, 
Fails  to  record  thy  virtues,  love  and  worth, 
Which  shed  their  radiance  o'er  this  sinful  earth; 
But  if  an  humble  instrument  like  me 
Presumes  to  add  one  tribute  more  to  thee, 
May  God  permit  it  may  serve  some  good  end, 
If  but  the  brief  response  of  one  dear  friend. 


radical    j|[cn 


i 

I  o\v  tliis  universe  looms  with  "Practical  Men," 
\Vlio  scorn  the  theorist's  soul  inspired  pen; 
Who  laugh  at  the  glowing  and  eloquent  fire 
Which  burns  in  his  bosom,  and  know  no  desire 
Bui  to  Stn.Ay  themselves  and  their  own  selfish  ends; 
Whoso  climax  of  happiness  *<>lt'lij  depends 
On  a  snug  little  balance  from  "  profit  and  loss" 
And  other  small  treasures  of  practical  drox*. 
Puffed  up  with  importance  inflated  conceit, 
With  dull  plodding  mind  and  lead  laden  feet. 
A  stern  cut  face  and  an  adamant  heart, 
With  these  "  Practical  Men"  must  each  bear  a  part. 
Thus  the  plea  of  the  poor  but  closes  his  purse 
With  a  snap  and  a  snarl — it  may  be  a  curse. 

"  Take  example,  my  friend,  be  a  Practical  Man; 
"I  give  my  advice — get  the  rest  as  you  can. 
"  My  purse  is  well  filled,  my  health  is  robust, 
"  My  mind  is  contented,  my  dealings  are  just; 


Practical  Men.  ~]\ 

••'  I  need  no  assistance,  and  ask  no  respect. 
"  The  world  is  welcome  to  give  and  reject  : 
"I  work  to  make  money,  and  make  it  I  can, 
••  And  keep  it  as  well — like  a  Practical  Man. 
"Do  you  the  same;  if  you  don't  'tis  your  fault — 
••  You  are  hut  a  nuisance,  unworthy  your  salt." 

Thus  talks  our  n-ould  lie  line  practical  In-other, 
Whose  sympathy  's  dead  to  t-he  woes  of  another; 
Who  looks  with  contempt  on  a  poor  stricken  wretch 
On  the  verge  of  starvation,  to  coolly  fetch 
A  grunt  of  disgust,  that  Nature  should  give 
So  useless  an  object  permission  to  live. 
Wrapped  ii})  in  himself,  he  cares  not  a  straw 
For  aught  in  creation  save  lucre  and  law. 

The  youth's  aspirations,  his  castles  in  air. 
His  visions  ot  life,  unsullied  and  fair, 
His  bright  happy  dreams  and  worshipped  ideal, 
Which  coming  events  might  junction  with  real; 
Hi<  generous  impulse  to  do  and  to  dare. 
To  banish  all  features  of  sorrow  and  care. 
With  his  soul  beaming  over  with  beautiful  trust 
In  the  faith  of  mankind — the  reward  of  the  just  — 
Nay,  freighted  with  all  that  makes  life  worth  the  gift, 
Will  anon  of  existence  be  grimly  bereft, 
Should  these  i>ra<-ti<-(il  fellows   receive  but  a  chance 
To  pierce  his  warm  heart  with  their  withering  lance. 
For  the  glories  of  *<-irn<-<'  and  beauties  of  art, 
Which  to  men  of  true  nature  are  joys  of  the  heart, 


7^  Practical  Men. 

For  s\vc('ts  of  Religion — exaltation  of  prayer 
And  holy  communion — they  have  not  a  care, 
But  are  merely  a  fraud  on  life's  meanest  span, 
Ai\d  pilfer  the  title  of  "  Practical  Man" 
To  garnish  their  sins  with  a  false  shallow  gold 
That  naught  will  refine,  be  they  ever  so  old. 

There  is  lowness  in  Virtue  and  meekness  in  Power, 
And  Genius  shelters  in  Modesty's  bower. 
The  rich  may  be  humble,  the  wise  be  content 
To  ask  no  reward  for  great  energies  spent. 
Aye,  a  man  with  the  cardinal  virtues  all  told 
In  the  midst  of  life's  blessings  may  stand  in  the  cold. 
But  men  of  small  calibre — meanness  of  mind — 
To  the  best  part  of  Nature  remorselessly  blind, 
\Vho  have  nothing  to  offer,  much  less  to  give 
In  return  for  the  gift  of  their  Maker,  to  live 
Know  no  higher  mission  than  centres  in  self, 
Which  opens  the  portals  of  bargain  and  pelf — 
Ksteem  themselves  solely  as  models  of  worth, 
And  chief  in  the  rank  of  the  homage  of  earth. 

But  true  Practical  Men,  whose  contest  with  life 
Has  steeled  them  to  reason — whose  veteran  strife 
Has  rendered  them  lessons  of  practical  truth, 
Which  can  temper  and  chasten  irrational  youth  ; 
Who  will  wisely  provide  for  a  dull  "  rainy  day" 
And  still  sip  the  pleasures  of  life  while  they  may; 
Systematic  in  action,  in  judgment  correct, 
Sober  in  reason  and  prone  to  reflect, 
Nobly  deserve  that  each  tongue  and  each  pen 
Shall  yield  them  full  honors  as  "  Practical  Men," 


OR,    SHORT   vs.    LONG.DRESSES 


HE  vagaries  of  Fashion  arc  enough,  beyond  all 

question, 
Vr  To  spoil  the  mildest  temper  and  ruin  the  digcs- 

tion. 

Some  ladies  are  persistent , in  refusing  to  admit 
Much   claim  to  common   sense — men's  judgment  not  a 

whit. 

I  could  tell  a  lengthy  story,  but  prefer  to  cut  it  short — 
"  As  you  would  prefer  our  dresses/'  the  ladies  may  retort. 
Well — yes — perhaps  I  would,  tho'  dare  not  say  the  word 
But  relate  a  conversation  I  lately  overheard. 

Two  Broadway  belles  collided — one  short,  the  other 

tall- 
Dressed  in  the  latest  fashions,  and  a-/«-wuterfall. 
After  mutual  addresses,  and  usual  caresses, 
Their  regards  were  quickly  turned  from  their  faces  to 
their  dresses. 

4 


74  Fashion's  Vagaries. 

"My  dear,"  said  Lady  Short,  "your  dress  seems  out  of 
fashion," 

"  If  you  have  not  read  the  styles  I  tender  my  com 
passion, 

"  Half  a  yard  or  more  is  added  to  the  dresses  once  dc 
trop, 

"And  you  see  /follow  Fashion,  for  Fashion  should  be 
law." 

Said  Lady  Tall, with  kindling  eye, "I  need  no  information, 

"I  equal  you  in  knowledge  as  I  equal  you  in  station; 

"  I  wear  my  dresses  short  for  the  short  and  simple 
reason 

"  That  they  are  more  elegant,  and  adapted  to  the  season. 

"  Whenever  Fashion  nonsense  quotes,  tlio'  other  ladies 
bear  it, 

"  I  need  not  aid  its  efforts,  and  I  surely  will  not  war  II. 

"My  dress  is  not  a  scavenger,  to  s\veep  a  dirty  street, 

"To  impede  me  in  my  motio'us  and — ahem  !  In  liidf  ///// 
feet  ; 

"And  another  reason  is — well,  perhaps  you  may  infer  it — 

"We  always  have  acknowledged  that  the  gentlemen 
prefer  it." 

Miss  Short  had  listened  patiently,  but  with  a  gathering- 
frown, 

And  with  a  /vW//<y  etl'ort  to  keep  her  temper  <7<//o/ 

Said  she,  "  You  may  be  right  in  a  part  of  your  defence. 

"  But  I  deprecate  your  hint  that  1  lack  in  common 
sense. 

"The" season,  I  admit,  is  advancing — so  am  I — 

"And  am  following  Church  fashion,  which  i.s  not  quite 
so  h'ujh. 


Fashion's  Vagaries.  7$ 

"  Long  dresses  arc  more   modest  and  more  graceful,  all 

Mhnit, 
"  And  are  wanner  far  in  winter  than  the  wind  about  the. 

feet. 

"  Tho'  gentlemen  prefer,  to  criticise  our  gaiters, 
"  If  Fashion  should  forbid  they  may  chafe  until  they 

hate  us. 
"  As  to  sweeping  on  the  roads — Fashion  does  but  aid 

the  law, 

"  And  shames  our  ill  contractors,  who  never  xwecp  at  all. 
"  But  then  such  talk  is  nonsense — /  can  avoid  the  dirt, 
"  And  injure  not  a  thread — by  holding  up  my  skirt. 
"Your  arguments  are  fair;  but,  in    fact,  they  lack  in 

strength 
"  \Vhat  your  notions  want  in  style  and  your  garments 

lack  in  length." 
"I  perceive,"  replied  the  other,   "that  'tis  useless  to 

prolong 

"The  subject  any  further — but  truly  you  are  wrong. 
"Some,  tho'   they  are  convinced,  if  convinced   against 

their  will, 
"  Pleased  with  their  own  opinion   they  will  retain  it 

still. 

"  Fashion  is  no  guide  when  judgment  is  rejected, 
"Common  sense  ignored,  and  sound  advice  rejected, 
"  Ere  long  you  will  discover  that  your   care   to    hide 

two  feet 

"  Will  end  in  dragging  x/./-  along  the  crowded  street, 
"And   when   you   find  ann/in'r  tear   the    ir/m/r   from   o(T 

your  back, 
"You  may  regret  the  xte)>  which  followed  such  a  track. 


'()  Fashion's  Vagaries. 

I  study  others'  comfort  and  still  secure  my  own; 
While  you,   who  study  Fashion,  stand  selfishly  alone 
Long  dresses  may  be  graceful,   but  in  walking  I  desire 
;  My  hands  and  feet  at  liberty  ;  nor  do  I  much  admire 
:To  see  a  lady  occupy  the  path  for  full  three  yards, 
'While    gentlemen    detest   the    style    which    business 
haste  retards; 

I  If  Fashion  runs  in   Folly's   wake  and  you  add  to  its 

train, 

I 1  disregard  its  weak  attempt  to  steal  away  my  brain.'' 


OD  helps  those  who  help  themselves, 

\Ylm  brace  the  nerves  for  work, 
And  luce  the  world  with  firm  resolves — 

They  will  no  duty  shirk — 
Who,  having  faith  in^  Providence, 

Still  in  themselves  have  trust, 
And  scorn  to  gain  by  mean  pretence, 

Or  eat  a  beggar's  crust. 


ii. 


The  course  of  life  is  strewn  with  thorn-, 

But  flowers  sweetly  blend, 
And  many  a  resting  place  adorns 

•It  ere  we  reach  the  end. 
And  tlio'  we  meet  with  powerful  foes, 

Who  intercept  our  pace, 
We  shall  recline  in  calm  repo-e 

If  we  but  wiu  the  race. 


78  Help  Yourselves. 

in. 

The  time  is  short,  'twill  soon  be  o'er, 

And  life's  warfare  shall  cease; 
Then  he  who  suffered  values  more 

The  boon  of  perfect  peace, 
The  pass  of  life  is  "  Go  ahead  !" 

Work  with  untiring  zeal, 
For  all  must  lie  upon  the  bed 

They  make — of  woe  or  weal. 

IV. 

Some  men  presume  that  God  has  cast 

Their  destiny  in  moulds 
Which  break  with  every  furnace  blast, 

And  wreck  the  life  it  holds, 
So  fold  their  hands  with  meek  resolve 

Their  portion  to  endure, 
And  thus  with  blind  reliance  solve 

The  mystery  why  they're  poor-. 


Each  mortal  lives  himself  to  make, 

And  not  to  wholly  trust 
On  miracles,  that  he  may  take 

\Vliat  others  leave  to  rust; 
To  boldly  face  the  foes  of  life, 

And  manfully  appease 
Its  war  of  sorrow,  care  and  strife, 

'Till  lighting  brings  him  peace. 


Help  Yourselves.  79 


VI. 

The  world  is  cold,  and  -tern,  and  hard 

To  those  who  shrink  with  fear 
From  boldly  seeking  the  reward 

Which  vet'ran  soldiers  share; 
And  heaven  pities  not  the  man 

Who  fears  his  fellow's  eye, 
And  that  to  do  the  best  he  can 

lie  thinks  is  but  to  die. 

VII. 

Our  Infinite  Creator's  hands 

Formed  the  vast  univeise. 
And  every  clement  withstands 

An  idler  with  a  curse. 
The  great  ordeal  of  life  is  vork, 

Of  stern  laborious  cast, 
And  woe  to  him  who  cares  to  lurk 

In  corners  of  i\\c  past. 

VIII. 

For  man  was  born  to  live  and  learn, 

And  mould  each  passing  hour, 
That  for  each  thorn  it  shall  return 

An  everlasting  flower; 
And  he  who  doe.-  reject  the  task 

Will  e'er  in  gloom  repine, 
That  life  is  but  a  hideous  mask 

Which  he  cannot  define. 


8o 


Help  Yourselves. 


IX. 

God  marked  our  course  and  formed  the  mind, 
And  every  feature  noted, 

That  to  some  duty  to  mankind 
Each  portion  be  devoted, 

To  firmly  crush  each  bulwark  placed 
To  intercept  our  mission, 

And  not  believe  that  it  is  based 
Upon  the  world's  permission. 

X. 

Altho'  our  souls  we  cannot  save, 

Or  realize  our  state, 
When  death  shall  lay  us  in  the  grave 

And  close  the  book  of  fate, 
We  still  can  work  with  ardent  zeal 

To  till  the  joys  of  earth, 
And  boldly  stand  while  others  kneel 

And  plead  their  lack  of  worth. 


jf 

f  aitft 
j 


UK  heart  may  grow  weary  of  lessons  of  woe, 
And  the  l)ody  may  quail  at  each  chastening  blow, 
But  courage  !    dcaii'  friend,  tho7  sick  unto  death, 
Ne'er  cease  to  remember  the  Icston  of  Faith — 
That  glorious  boon, 
Which  later  or  soon 
Will  infuse  us  with  immortal  breath. 


Have  faith  in  thyself,  have  faith  in  thy  (Jod  ; 
Have  faith  in  His  love  and  His  chastening   rod; 
Have  faith  in  thy  mission;   have  faith  in  thy  life; 
Have  faith  in  its  joys;   still  have  faith  in  its  grief. 

The  tale  is  soon  told; 

Youth  noun  must  lie  old, 
And  bid  a  farewell  to  its  strife. 

111. 

When  the  terrors  of  doubt  thy  soul  may  suspend, 
And  ye  auger  with  fear  that  new  evils  fun-fend — 

4* 


82  Faitli. 

When  thy  portion  is  bitter,  thy  joys  have  collapsed, 
'Tis  but  for  a  period,  which,  when  elapsed, 

The  hands  which  oppre<.- 

The  life  with  distress 
Shall  yet  be  entirely  unclasped. 

IV. 

Let  Hope,  its  sweet  sister,  unite  tliee  with- Faith, 
That   the  sharp  crown  of  thorns   may  give  place   to   a 

[wreath, 
And  the  sun  of  mortality  still  ever  shine 

With  a  beautiful  promise 

Of  joy  and  surprise 
In  the  riches  which  yet  will  be  thine. 

v. 

When  the  storms  of  adversity  scatter  thy  hopes, 
And  fair  fickle  Fortune  with  promise  elopes, 

And  the  seeds  of  allliction  take  root  in  her  place. 
It  is  not  dishonor — it  is  not  disgrace; 

Have  fait  li  in  1  lie  end 

That  flower.-  will  blend, 
And  all  its  rank  herbage  replace. 


But  Faith  without  •iror/l-.<  is  a  fragile  belief, 

And  its  fragile  conceptions  will  e'er  come  to  grief. 

To  have  faith  in  a  purpose,  but  use  not  the  mean.'* 

By  which  earthly  substance  shall  gender  from  dreams 


Faith.  83 

Is  an  idle  pastime 
s' ay,  a  »Tave  moral  crime, 
But  an  error  which  ne'ertheless  teem.-. 

VII. 

To  have  faith   in  the  blessings  of  (Jod  we  must  iror/.', 
Lest  the  <rales  of  theory  sliatter  our  bark. 
With  Hope  as  our  anchor,  and  Faith  as  our  cro 
Let  us  e'er  >teer  our  course  thro'  danger  and  loss, 

And  bullet  the  billows, 

Not.  use  them  as  pillows 
To  lay  our  broad  shoulders  across. 

VIII. 

And  when  dangers  thicken,  and  darkness  surround, 
Obscuring  the  haven  for  which  we  are  bound, 
Let  Faith  never  wane,  and  labor  ne'er  cease, 
And  the  end  shall  be  rich  with  the  harvest  of  peace; 

•Then  (Jod  will  sure  bios 

With  a  holy  car* 
That  chaos  of  ills  will  appease. 

IX. 

When  death  shall  at  last    claim  thy  shadow  of  life, 
And  brin.u'  to  thy  spirit   immortal  relief, 
1'recious  Faith  will  sustai.u  thee,  and  nobly  will  bear 
Thy  ^lad  ransomed  soul  to  that  paradise  where 

Sweet  angels  await, 

At  the  heavenly  .u'ate. 
With  the  pure  golden  crown  thou  shall  wear. 


EE  yon  guiding  star  in  the  sombre  horizon, 
Shedding'  silvery  light  o'er  the  gloom  of  a  prison, 
AVhere  mortals  lie  bound  in  the  fetters  of  sin — 
Where  sorrow  and  grief  seem  forever  shut  in — 
How  sweetly  it  beams, 
How  radiant  gleams, 
With  a  glow  that  is  ne'er  on  the  wane. 

u. 

Whence  is  it,  poor  pris'ner,  and  what  is  its  name? 
And  why  should  it  lure  thee  from  sorrow  and  shame  ? 
Guide  thy  faltering  steps  to  a  haven  of  rest, 
When  the  sun's  last  beams  touch  the  brow  of  the  West — 

\Vhen  glory  of  light 

Weds  the  gloom  of  the  night, 
And  thy  soul  is  so  sorely  oppressed  ? 

in. 

Watch  its  lingering  touch  on  that  poor  weary  head, 
Bowed  with  sickness  and  care  on  a  pain  stricken  bed, 


Hope.  85 

With  a  halo  of  glory  reful gently  bright, 
Transforming  aflliction  to  joy  and  delight — 

A  luminous  shower 

Of  enduring  power, 
Of  glorious  prismatic  light. 

IV. 

Watch  yon  golden  haired  mother,  in  sickening  fear, 
Whom  Fate  cruelly  holds  'tween  a  smile  and  a  tear; 
Whoso  darling  first  born,  in  its  infancy's  charms, 
Lies  fading,  near  dying,  in  love  twining  arms; 
What  glorious  vision 
'Invokes  a  revision 
Of  death,  and  her  agony  calm?- '' 

v. 

'Tis  a  sweet,  soothing  message  from  spirits  on  high, 
That  her  loved  treasure  will  surely  not  die- 
Bourne  sweetly  and  swift  on  thai  eloquent  ray 
Which  the  hand  of  Despair  tries  so  vainly  to  stav  — 

'Tis  that  glimmering  star, 

Which  sheds  from   afar 
The  bright  budding  promise  of  day. 

VI. 

When  compassed  around  with  legions  of  woe, 
And  wearily  seeking  to  weaken  I  lie  foe — 
When  storm.-  ol  affliction  and  sorrow  assail, 


86 


Hope. 


And  our  energy  Hags,  and  our  strength  seems  to  fail, 

Inspiringly  brig] it 

That  sweet  satellite 
Will  guide  us  from  valley  to  dale. 


VII. 


That,  radiant  star  in  the  glimmering  cast 
Is  the  spirit  of  Hope  that  our  trouble  has  ceased — 
Whose  sweet  dwelling  presence  new  visions  impart, 
And  faith  in  whose  promise  brings  joy  to  the  heart. 

Then  ever  hope  on, 

'Till  the  glorious  sun 
Of  fruition  shall  bid  us  to  part. 


• 

'KIM  povertv  stalks,  on  misery  bent, 
On  cruel  desolation  and  sorrow  intent — 
The  home  it  visits  jrnnvs  sadder  ij)  <>'loom, 
And  shadows  fall  thick  o'er  each  cheerless  room, 
So  hopeless  and  dreary, 
Its  inmates  «rrow  weary 
Of  life  o'er  which  sorrows  e'er  loom. 

ii. 

Sickne.-s  is  busy,  starvation  is  rife, 
And  death  i.-  contending,  to  ha.-ten  the  stril'e. 
Nature  i>  cheerless      all  hope  has  expired — 
The  last  ^leani  of  joy  has  coldly  retired 

And  each  head  is  bowed  low 

In  communion  of  woe, 
And  .-ped re.-  UTOW  hidous  and  weird, 

in. 

But  now  o'er  the  hearth  sweet  Charity's  ray 

from  heaven,  so  cheering  and  ua\ 


88  Charity. 

That  sunken  eyes  beam  and  cold  hearts  grow  warm, 
And  a  genial  glow  floods  the  cowering  form 

Which  hopefully  waits, 

As  a  whisper  abates, 
The  parting  refrain  of  the  storm. 

IV. 

Sin  has  dismantled  the  beauties  of  youth, 
And  evil  weeds  choked  the  blossoms  of  truth; 
A  tempter  has  crushed  the  virgin's  birthright, 
And  the  fair  head  is  hid  from  Purity's  sight; 

What  bittei>  she  reaps, 

Poor  child!     How  she  weeps 
Thro'  days  and  the  long  weary  nights. 

v. 

But  the  world  is  cold — her  sisters  are  pure; 
No  evil  has  tempted  their  strength  to  endure. 
With  lips  curled  in  scorn,  and  heads  turned  away, 
With  close  gathered  skirls  they  pass  on  their  way; 

Strong  men  and  fair  maidens, 

Who  happiness  gladdens, 
Leave  the  fallen  to  weep  and  to  pray. 

VI. 

But  a  hand  outstretched  draws  a  beautiful  veil 
O'er  the  grief  bowed  form,  so  lovely  tho'  frail, 
And  with  gentle  caress  o'er  the  bright  golden  hair 
Bids  the  fair  one  abandon  grief  and  despair, 


Charity. 

And  in  Charity's  arms 
Her  agony  calms, 
And  a  smile  replaces  a  tear. 

VII. 

CHARITY!     Lovely,  refined  and  sublime, 

Thy  presence  can  conquer  the  essence  of  crime, 

And  mis-led  youths  find  a  chastening  guide 

To  sweetly  save  them  from  life's  downward  tide. 

May  thy  spirit  e'er  beam, 

As  a  beautiful  dream, 
O'er  bulwarks  of  hardness  and  pride. 

VIII. 

Oh!  ye  of  the  world,  secure  from  its  harm, 
When  others  arc  tempted  refuse  not  the  balm 
Which  shall  heal  their  wounds  and  cover  their  sin, 
That  each  fallen  sister  and  brother  begin 

To  live  life  anew, 

And  each  blessing  renew, 
That  joy  be  forever  let  in. 


otdiei[  of 


j  EAR  the  martial  note  of  the  bugle  proclaim 
That  the  soldier  of  valor,  of  honor  and  fame, 
Must  gird  up  his  loins  for  the  battle  of  life, 
And  boldly  encounter  its  carnage  and  strife, 
Undaunted  and  brave, 
In  the  face  of  the  grave, 
To  echo  the  shout  of  his  chief. 

ii. 

"  Onward  !"  still  "  Omvard  !"  to  do  and  to  dare — 
Its  trophies  and  dangers  to  win  and  to  share; 
With  thy  motto  emblazoned,  thy  banner  unfurled, 
Storm  the  ramparts  and  forts  of  the  hard  callous  world, 

And  each  enemy  cast 

In  the  grave  of  the  pa>t. 
\Vhere  armies  arc  already  hurled. 

in. 

Tho'  thy  fellows  their  wounds  and  defeats  may  bewail, 
Still  the  world's  moral  forces  with  vigor  assail; 


Soldier  of  Life.  91 

Let  thy  count-rc  wax  warm  as  tin1  battle  grows  fierce; 
Tlio'  the  luuee  of  tlie  foe  thy  bosom  may  pierce 

.Still  gallantly  on 

Till  the  victory's  won, 
Nor  flee  at  the  sound  of  reverse. 

IV. 

Thy  Captain  has  bid  thee  to  fight  and  endure, 
And  suffer  affliction,  that  life  may  be  pure; 
That  thy  mind  and  thy  soul  shall  be  grandly  refined, 
\Vhile  all  would  be  worthless  by  lagging  behind. 

Then  onward  forever, 

Till  futurity  sever 
The  bonds  which  mortality  bind. 


Tho'  thy  heart  may  grow  faint  at  each   word  of  com 
mand, 

By  the  standard  of  Hope  ever  valiantly  stand, 
Till  thy  God  shall  reward  thee  with  blessings  of  peace, 
And  thy  labors  and  warfare  forever  shall  cease, 
And  bright  realms  of  bliss 
Greet  thy  soul  with  a  kiss, 
And  give  thee  eternal  release. 


ONG  years  have  passed  since  childhood's  home 

shadowed  an  ideal  life, 
And  shed  a  halo  'round  a  head  now  bent  with 

toil  and  strife; 
But  thoughts  will  come  of  those  sweet  days  when  sor 
row  was  unknown, 

And  parents'  fostering  love  enshrined  a  heart  now  sad 
and  lone. 

Home!  Home!    Sweet,  sweet  Home! 
'Tis  vain  to  seek,  the  wide  world  through, 
twin  joys  of  childhood's  home. 

ii. 

Wanderers  in  this  wilderness — face  to  the  cold,  hard 
world — 

Our  motto,  tho',  "Excelsior"  our  banner,  tho',  un 
furled. 


Home,  Sweet  Home.  93 

Amidst  its  triumphs,  joys  and  griefs,  wherever  we  may 

roam, 

No  love  so  pure,  no  thought  so  sweet,  as  that  of  child 
hood's  home. 

Home!  Home!    Sweet,  sweet  Home! 
'Tis  vain  to  seek,  the  wide  world  through, 
twin  joys  of  childhood's  home. 

in. 

The  choicest  gifts  maturity  can  lavishly  bestow 

Can  never  rend  our  memory  from  dear  friends,  who,  now 

laid  low, 
Once  ministered  life's  holiest   charms,  which  shed  its 

hallowed  rays 
Upon  the  happiest  dream  of  life — Our  childhood's  home 

and  days. 

Home!  Home!     Sweet,  s \veet  Home! 
'Tis  vain  to  seek,  the  wide  world  through, 
twin  joys  of  childhood's  home. 


J 

TO  JOHN  HORN,  JR.,  PRES'T  KNICKERBOCKER  LACROSSE  CLUB. 


N  the  field  of  Lacrosse,  on  the  field  of  Lacrosse, 

Sec  opponents  in  battle  array; 
Both  honor  and  name,  and  glory  and  fame, 

\Vill  'pend  on  the  issue  to-day. 
Let  the  standard  wave  o'er  champions  brave, 

And  each  by  his  motto  swear — 
Wage  a  gallant  fight,  with  an  arm  of  might, 
Then  onward — to  do  and  to  dare. 

Watch  the  ball  in  its  flight,  like  a  spirit  of  light, 

Speed  up  from  a  glorious  throw, 
On  its  mission  sent,  and  to  conquer  intent, 

It  answers  a  ready  echo 
To  the  cheers  of  its  friends,  as  its  promise  forefends 

The  gain  of  the  laurels  of  play, 
And  in  its  repose  both  brothers  and  foes 

Clasp  hands  on  the  fate  of  the  day. 


Lacrosse. 

The  strutrirle  is  ^reat,  and  the  powers  of  Fate 

May  waver  at  Victory's  door, 
And,  tiiriiinir  aside,  will  coolly  deride 

The  best  cherished  hopes  of  an  hour. 
Then  the  echoes  rebound,  and  the  heavens  resound 

\Vitli  the  shout  that  the  battle  is  won; 
But  the  fallen  in  Lacrosse  bear  slightly  the  h»-. 

For  the  laurel  of  all  is  "  I1W/  done." 


jpnunio  Jltori. 

4'L  Ml 


THE  "  LITTLE  CHURCH  'ROUND  THE  CORNER." 


UPERSTITIOX  darkens  still  this  most  enlightened  age, 
And  bigotry  stalks  rampant  with  anti-pious  rage, 
Denouncing  and  reviling,  with  sanctimonious  ire, 
The  liberal  relations  which  all  true  men  admire. 
Now  some  denominations  of  a  much  divided  "  Church  " 
Assume  their  diffring  brothers  will  be  left  in  the  lurch 
When  God  shall  call  the  muster  roll  of  sinners  and  of 

saints,  . 

And  of  its  future  destiny  each  anxious  soul  acquaints. 
But  however  bigotry  may  roar,  and   howe'er  fierce  its 

breath, 
Charity  should  close  its  mouth  when   life  has  closed  in 

death; 
And,  howe'er  prejudice  may  reign,  true  godliness  should 

dwell 

Where  godliness  has  been  "  ordained"  to  save  a  soul 
from  hell. 


The  Li Little  Church    'Round  the  Corner?'   97 

I;KOK<;K  HOLLAND  lived,  in  men's  esteem,  in  purity  and 

truth, 
And  not  a   slur   has  crossed   his  fame   from  well  known 

early  youth; 
Beloved  by  all  who  knew  the  man,  admired    by  all  who 

hung 

Delightedly  upon  the  power  and  pathos  of  his   tongue. 
A  man  of  sterling  moral  cast,  of  ample  frame  of  mind, 
And  every  attribute  of  truth  and  nobleness  of  combined, 
\Vlien  death   dismissed   his  spirit   from  this  temporary 

stage 

A  "  Clergyman"  refused  to  ope'  the  burial  service  page; 
Refused  the   poor,  cold,  lifeless   clay  a  Christian's  last 

farewell, 
And,  as  an  "  ACTOR'S"  portion,  doomed  his  noble  soul  to 

hell  I 

The  sorrowing  friends  protested,  the  anguished  mourn 
ers  wept; 
But  the  "Man  of  God"  was  callous,   and   the  sad  pro- 

ces>ion  left  ; 

Then  a  "  Little  Church  'Round  the  Corner" — an  humble 

edifice — 

Received  the  outraged  corpse  with  a  spiritual  kiss; 
Consigned  the  last  remains  of  the  Actor  to  the  grave 
With  a  prayer  that  God  would  claim  him  from  Jordan's 

mystic  wave. 
Thus  may  honor  ever  bind  thee,  both  happy  one  and 

mourner, 
In  bonds  of  love  and  union  to  that  "  Church  Around  the 

Corner." 

5 


ar; 


OR,  PRESENT  AND 


XUBERANT  beauties  hail  the  dawn  of  day, 
The  vesture  of  the  earth  is  fair  and  gay. 
Sweet  flowers  unfold  their  tinted  leaves  to  view, 
'"  And  greet  the  sunlight    and  the  glist'ning  dew. 
Dense  forests  in  communion  whisper  words 
Of  welcome;  and  bright  plumaged,  joyoua  birds 
Thrill  with  melodious  notes  the  vaulted  sky. 
While  soaring  larks,  lost  to  The  human  eye, 
Enrapt  the  ear  and  fascinate  the  soul 
AVith  melting  streams  of  melody,  which  roll 
Thro'  empty  space,  as  'twere  an  angel's  voice, 
Bidding  all  living  nature  to  rejoice. 

Fair  children  sport,  in  happy,  thoughtless  groups, 
Existing  but  in  present  joy  and  hopes. 
The  mother,  in  the  fulness  of  her  love, 
Maternal  pride  and  joy,  lives  but  to  prove 
Her  heart's  devotion  to  her  child  and  spouse. 
And  make  each  day,  from  dawn  until  its  close, 


War.  99 

A  cradled  happiness,  to  triad  cadi  heart, 

And  to  each  nature  generous  joys  impart. 

All  sympathetic  nature,  every  phase 

Of  life  is  tinted  by  the  beauteous  rays 

Which  gild  the  hour  of  peace.     But  now,  alas! 

A  change  comes  o'er  the  scene,  and  \vhispers  pass 

From  ear  to  ear,  of  ominous  import, 

And  soon  there  spreads  the  terrible  "  report" 

That  joy  must  flee,  and  fondest  hopes  must  yield 

Their  dearest  treasure  to  the  blood  stained  field; 

That  hearts  must  bleed,  and  bosoms  rend  with  woe, 

While  dear  ones  fall  in  death. before  the  foe! 

For,  some  atlVont  to  arrogance  and  power 

IJids  thousands  die  within  a  passing  hour, 

And  \vash  away  the  stain  with  streams  of  blood, 

While  he  who  spills  it,  in  a  sullen  mood, 

Looks  on  with  callous  eye  and  deadened  care 

For  all  the  crimes  his  evil  work  may  bear. 

Fair  lands  are  trampled  'neath  the  warrior's  steed, 

And  grandest  beauties  claim  no  moment's  heed;'' 

Famine  and  pestilence  grow  swiftly  rife, 

Cr.ishing  to  death  the  noblest,  strongest  life. 

Crand  structures,  monuments  of  ancient  skill, 
Are  dealt  destruction  by  the  imperious  will 
Of  one  great  tyrant;   while  all  nations  wait. 
In  stern,  grim  silence,  the  award  of  Fate. 

While  nations  reign,  and  power  sustains  its  sway, 
War  will  ne'er  cease  to  cloud  the  sunniest  day. 
And  carnivals  of  blood  will  madly  urge 
Their  myriad  vot'ries  to  the  awful  verge 


loo  Urar. 

Of  agony  and  death.  from  age  to  age. 

'Till  death  shall  silence  every  warrior's  rage; 

For,  while  evil  lurks  in  human  .breast, 

'Twill  ever  strive,  \vitli  vengeful  ire,  to  wrest 

Each  gift  which  Nature  portions  to  the  just. 

And  seek  to  sacrifice  its  dearest  trust; 

Unscrupulous,  ambitions  aims  will  force 

Life's  purest  current  from  its  peaceful  course; 

And,  were  no  hand  upraised  to  intercept, 

Progress  and  civilization  would  be  swept, 

By  one  relentless  tyrant's  vengeful  breath, 

In  the  oblivion  of  moral  death. 

So  wars  must  wage,  and  warriors  must  arm 

To  save  an  honored  name  and  right  from  harm, 

And  check  the  hordes  which  would  imbue    their  hands 

In  despoliation  of  the  fairest  lands. 

Thus    FKANVK.   whose   con<|'riug   hosts    beseiged    the 
And  e'er  victorious,  mightest  despots  hurled          [world, 
From  pinnacles  of  power  to  depths  of  shame. 
Humiliation,  and  of  bla>ted  fame, 
\ow  subjugated  lies  beneath  the  heel 
Of  one  she  rashly  deemed  would  meekly  kneel. 
And  render  each  concession  on  demand. 
Or  else  would  fall  beneath  her  upraised  hand. 

For. years  her  ships  have  spread  the  ocean's  wave, 
And  challenged  foes  her  mighty  strength  to  brave; 
Her  frowning  forts  were  deemed  impregnable 
To  heaviest  guns  and  storms  of  seething  shell; 
Her  mighty  armies  nations  held  in  awe. 
Who,  in  her  vaunted  greatness,  victory  saw 


ll'tll'.  1O1 

But  years  of  peace  wro't  revelry  and  ease. 

And  PAKIS  reigned  lor  nought  except  to  plea-e 

Voluptuous  sense';   Science  and  Art  imposed 

A  tribute  from  all  lands,  and  -Fashion  posed 

The  ingenuity  of  all  the  earth 

To  wrest  her  from  the  land  which  gave  her  birth: 

But  the  great  vigor  and  majestic  power 

Of  martial  strength  waned  with  each  fleeting  hour, 

And  when  XAPOI. KO\  arrogantly  sought 

T  renew  the  task  his  predecessor  taught, 

And  forced  the  German  vet'rans  in  the  field 

To  combat  for  the  rights  they  <corned  to  yield, 

His  armies  (led  before  the  powerful  arm 

O'er  which  great  Justice  held  a  with'ring  charm. 

The  Fmperor,  at  Sedan,  resigned  his  sword, 

And  there  the  Empire  fell,  to  lie  restored 

Refined  and  purged — but  as  an  Empire  reign 

Until  fri/i/hiidli'lf/  it  shall  resign 

Its  ancient  honors,  titles,  name  and  fame — 

That  grand  Republic  />rin<-if>/<'  shall  claim 

Its  children  as  its  lawful  wards — till  truth 

Shall  dawn  upon  its  free,  unshackled  youth. 

Thus  "Imperial  France"  has  fallen  at  last, 
And  all  its  pride  and  arrogance  is  past. 
The  retribution  due  unholy  deeds 
Sternly  confronts  her  while  she  cruelly  bleed?. 
"  Invulnerable  Paris,"  doomed  by  Fate 
To  (ierman  legions  to  capitulate, 
Must  lay  her  majesty  upon  the  dust. 
And  bow  her  head,  and  eat  the  bitter  crust, 


1O2  War. 

But  may  she  nV  and  profit  by  tlic  past, 
For,  tlio'  an  Kmpire  still,  she's  Hearing  fast 
The  day  when  Freedom  shall  ascend  its  throne 
And  claim  lier  wand'ring  children  as  its  own. 

But  years  must  pass  ere  evils  long  instilled 
In  corrupt  soil,  howe'er  it  may  be  tilled, 
Shall  yield  its  tares,  and  full  eared  wheat  replace 
The  rank  weeds  fostered  by  a  former  race. 

Aye!     Years  must  pass,  and  generations  die, 
And  mighty  Truth  lour/  battle  with  a  lie 
Ere  Liht'rfi/  proclaims  that  kings  have  lain 
Their  sceptres  down,  and  the  linn  soldered  chain 
Which  binds  the  human  race  as  slaves  to  power 
Shall  burst  its  bonds,  and  Freedom  claim  its  dower. 
Then  "  La  Grande  Xa/io/i ''  shall  receive  its  choice 
Without  a  murmur  or  dissenting  vo'ce — 
Its  noble  people  weave  a  glorious  thread, 
Which,  borne  on  Freedom's  wings,  shall  swiftly  spread 
O'er  land  and  sea,  until  it  shall  unite, 
In  everlasting  bonds  of  might  and  right, 
With  the  IvKiTBi.ir  of  our  UANSOMKII  STATKS, 
And  open  to  the  ir<>r/<l  its  long  closed  gates. 


we  cry — the  echo's  mocking  sound 
Replies  thro' empty  space — unknown — unfound! 
H(i\v  strict  our  search  our  labor  may  lie  lost. 
Kxcept  experience  outset  the  cost: 
But  'neath  a  bed  of  dross  the  je\vel  lies, 
Hid  from  the  searching  glance  of  many  eyes, 
Diffusing  purest  germs  of  beauteous  life — 
An  antidote  to  all  irs  care  and  strife — 
E'en  as  the  violet,  on  its  mo>sy  bank, 
Diffuses  sweetness  from  a  bed  so  rank 
That  it  might  bloom  unseen,  and  fade,  and  die, 
Did  not  its  perfume  point  to  where  it  lie, 
And,  'mid  the  vacillating  hues  which  blend 
And  tarnish  the  pure  rays  which  angels  lend 
To  deck  the  name  of  FuiExn,  unnumbered  beams 
Have  crossed  my  checkered  path  as  fitful  dreams, 
And  when  reality  was  most  inten-e 
The  vision  tied  and  left  but  vapid  sense; 
But  still  some  friends  have  stood  each  liery  test, 
And  pass'd  unscathed  what   scattered  all  the  rest. 


104 


TcTMy  Friends. 


And  ye  who've  proved  yourselves  my  firm  and  true 
["ii-Nvervina1  friends,   accept  your  simple  due, 
My  grateful  thanks,  and  earnest  bles.-ing  on 
The  many  cherished  kindness',  ye  have  done — 
And  when  the  sun  of  mortal  life  shall  wane, 
And  heaven  claim  its  precious  gift  again, 
May  eternal  bonds  unite  our  souls  in  love 
In  the  bright  home  of  bliss  prepared  above. 


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1752  Godsmark^s  poems. 


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